J&K To Get Rs 900 Crore Eco-Friendly Water Metro Across Dal Lake And Jhelum River

In a major development, the Jammu and Kashmir government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop a Rs 900 crore Water Metro project across Dal Lake and the Jhelum River, reported Times of India.

The project, inspired by the successful Kochi Water Metro, is aimed at easing traffic congestion in Srinagar while offering an eco-friendly alternative for daily commuters and tourists alike.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the initiative is aimed at easing Srinagar's rising traffic congestion.

The proposed Water Metro will deploy electric-hybrid boats on five routes with 10 terminals on Dal Lake and two routes with eight terminals on the Jhelum River.

The boats will provide clean, efficient, and quiet transport for local passengers, reducing dependence on road traffic and curbing pollution in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, said that the administration will extend full administrative and logistical support to the project.

“It will also ensure efficient first and last-mile connectivity, integrating the Water Metro into the broader urban transport ecosystem of J&K,” he was quoted as saying.

Under the agreement, the IWAI will provide technical guidance and oversee the maintenance of navigational channels and aids.

The authority will also facilitate capacity-building programmes for inland water transport personnel, ensuring adherence to international standards of navigation safety and operational efficiency.

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