J&K: Water Metro to come up on Dal Lake, Jhelum

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir govt has signed an MoU with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop a Rs 900-crore Water Metro on the Dal Lake and Jhelum river.

The water transport project is aimed at easing Srinagar’s growing traffic congestion, will promote sustainability, and provide eco-friendly mobility . It is modelled on the Kochi Water Metro, CM Omar Abdullah said.

Electric-hybrid boats will run for local passengers on five routes with 10 terminals on Dal Lake, and two routes with eight terminals on the Jhelum.

Regional transport officer, Kashmir, Qazi Irfan, said govt will provide administrative and logistical support. “It will also ensure efficient first- and last-mile connectivity, integrating the Water Metro into the broader urban transport ecosystem of J&K,” he said.

IWAI, on the other hand, will provide technical expertise and guidance, oversee maintenance of navigational channels and aids, and facilitate capacity-building programmes for inland water transport personnel. It will also ensure navigation safety and the adoption of modern operational systems.