Boosting J&K's Blue Economy: IWAI Inaugurates Srinagar Office

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has inaugurated a new office in Srinagar to boost inland water transport (IWT) in Jammu & Kashmir.

This strategic move aims to advance river navigation infrastructure across three designated national waterways in the Union Territory: NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), and NW-84 (River Ravi).

The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in March 2025 between IWAI and the J&K government. Under this partnership, IWAI will undertake key infrastructure projects including the installation of floating jetties at ten vital locations, dredging to develop navigational fairways, the deployment of night navigation aids, and regular hydrographic surveys to ensure safe vessel movement.

In addition, IWAI plans to develop water navigation infrastructure in Kashmir’s Dal and Wullar lakes. Among the proposed projects is a cruise hotel on Wullar Lake, which is currently under review. These efforts form part of a broader push to promote eco-friendly transport options while unlocking the region’s tourism and economic potential.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.