SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 03: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today reviewed the status and implementation status for introduction of inland water transport on the rivers Jhelum and Chenab, besides the rollout of electric mobility infrastructure under the Government of India’s PM E-DRIVE scheme in J&K.
The meeting besides ACS, PWD was attended by Secretary, Transport; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; VC, LCMA; Representative from IWAI and other concerned officers.
Reviewing the progress, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for time-bound completion of all enabling infrastructure, including terminals, access facilities, navigation arrangements and removal of obstructions in terms of utility shifting, so that water transport can be operationalised within the set deadline.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary was apprised of the progress being made for developing inland water transport facilities along identified stretches of the River Jhelum (NW-49), River Chenab (NW-26) and River Ravi (NW-84).
On this occasion the Secretary Transport, Avny Lavasa apprised the meeting that in River Jhelum, a 106-km cruise corridor from Sangam to Gund Prang has been identified for development. Land for 11 terminal locations has been identified at strategic points including Marham (Sangam), Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Chattabal, Sumbal and Gund Prang, among others.
She further divulged that removal of local coffer dams is a key requirement for ensuring uninterrupted navigation along the Jhelum stretch. The Public Works Department (PWD) has been tasked with removal of 52 such structures, of which 18 have already been cleared.
On the Chenab, a 9-km stretch between Reasi and Akhnoor Fort has been identified for cruise-based water transport, while a 15-km stretch of the River Ravi at Sohar in Jammu is also being developed for the purpose.
The meeting was further informed that the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has awarded the tender for procurement of 10 specially designed hybrid eco-vessels, each having a passenger capacity of 20 persons. The vessels are scheduled for delivery by March 2027.
Later the Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme in J&K, under which the administration is working towards establishing a robust charging ecosystem to support the transition to electric mobility.
The meeting was informed that 50 locations across Jammu and Kashmir have been identified and found technically feasible for installation of public EV charging stations.
These include 17 sites in Jammu, 5 in Kathua, 4 in Rajouri, 3 in Udhampur, 4 in Doda, 2 each in Ramban and Reasi, and 1 in Samba. Similarly in Kashmir Division, the identified sites include 4 in Srinagar, 3 in Baramulla and 1 each in Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Kupwara.
The Chief Secretary was also apprised of the proposal for procurement of 200 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. The proposal has received in-principle approval at the Government of India level and is being taken forward for procurement through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
The Chief Secretary directed all concerned departments and agencies to work in close coordination to ensure that the charging infrastructure, electrical connectivity, land requirements and other supporting facilities are put in place well ahead of the deployment of electric buses.
Emphasising the importance of integrating both initiatives with J&K’s broader tourism, urban mobility and environmental sustainability goals, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned departments to maintain strict timelines and continuous monitoring at every stage.
He stressed that the initiatives should translate into visible, sustainable and people-centric transport solutions, with the water transport projects and electric mobility infrastructure being progressed in a coordinated manner towards the targeted implementation within the stipulated timeframe.
