A delegation from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), led by its Chairperson Nutun Guha Biswas met Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Choudhary here today.The Minister informed IWAI Chairperson that there is scope of survey studies and formulation of DPRs for declared national waterways i.e. River Chenab – NW 26, River Ravi NW – 84 to execute the same on ground to boost the Inland Water Transport (IWT) besides, exploiting the tourism potential on the said National Waterway of the J&K State.He also stressed the need for speedy completion of the feasibility and DPR formulation so as to have immediate socio-cultural, economic and environmental impacts. It was further decided that the survey, studies and formulation of DPR of the declared national waterways of the State shall be taken up on priority to extend the scope for all the National Waterways.Sham Choudhary assured the Chairperson that all possible help and cooperation shall be provided to them in accomplishing the targets.The Commissioner Secretary PHE, I&FC Department, Chief Engineers Kashmir and Jammu I&FC Department, Superintending Engineer, Hydraulic Circle Leh, among other concerned officers were also present in the meeting.
Pertinently, the IWAI delegation has already presented the feasibility report of Inland Water Transport of River Jhelum NW-49 to the Chief Minister in a meeting during which it was decided that a team of officers from the GoI would again visit the State to complete the study on the declared national waterways in Jammu and Ladakh areas. It was also decided that a conference of stakeholders in the Jammu division will be held shortly.The IWAI has been requested by the State Government to conduct surveys, studies, feasibility and formulate DPRs for River Chenab, River Ravi as well as River Indus with their extended scope identified by the State. The total length for the River Chenab declared NW– 26 is 53 kms and its extended scope has been recommended for a length of 50 kms.The State Government has also called for exploring possibility of Inland Water Transport on Akhnoor-Pargwal, Baghliyar-Doda, Basoli- Donera-Satwain falling on Chenab and Ravi Rivers for the purpose of Cargo, Tourism and water sports.