Water transport has played a pivotal role in economic and development activities of the State during the medieval era and there is a dire need to revive the facility to give fillip to the tourism industry besides extending means of transport to general masses.This was stated by pisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Shalindra Kumar today while conducting an extensive tour of the areas along river Jehlum within the municipal limits of Srinagar city.The p Com directed the concerned authorities to explore the possibility of creating internal water channels to cover the whole city under the project. He also urged for putting in place such arrangements which would augment the surface transport. It was given out that Ghats would be constructed at identified sites including handicraft markets, religious places across the banks of Jehlum facilitating the commuters and visitors besides providing marketing facilities to local handicraft, which would give fillip to tourism and handicraft industry besides tourists will also be able to visit religious places thereby promoting pilgrim tourism.
Kumar said that water transport would be revived from February 2014 for which a broad spectrum meeting would be held with district administration, Tourism department, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Srinagar Development Authority and private players associated with tourism and trade.It is pertinent to mention that Government is keen for revival of 100 year old water transport from Pampore to Chattabal.Mr. Shalindra Kumar said that revival of water transport on large scale in Valley from Khanabal to Khadanyar shall be also ensured in near future.The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control besides other senior officers accompanied.