SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed progress on the proposed inland water transport network on the Jhelum, Chenab and Ravi rivers and the rollout of electric mobility infrastructure under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
At a meeting attended by senior officials, Dulloo directed departments to ensure timely completion of infrastructure required for operationalising water transport services, including terminals, navigation facilities, access infrastructure and utility shifting works.
Officials informed the meeting that a 106-kilometre cruise corridor has been identified on the River Jhelum (National Waterway-49) from Sangam to Gund Prang. Land has been identified for 11 terminals at locations including Marham (Sangam), Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Chattabal, Sumbal and Gund Prang.
Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa informed the meeting that removal of local coffer dams was necessary to ensure uninterrupted navigation on the Jhelum. Of the 52 such structures identified for removal by the Public Works Department, 18 have already been cleared.
The meeting was also informed that a 9-km stretch of the River Chenab between Reasi and Akhnoor Fort and a 15-km stretch of the River Ravi at Sohar in Jammu have been identified for cruise-based water transport services.
According to officials, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has awarded a contract for procurement of 10 hybrid eco-friendly vessels, each with a passenger capacity of 20 persons. The vessels are expected to be delivered by March 2027.
Reviewing the PM E-DRIVE scheme, the Chief Secretary was informed that 50 locations across Jammu and Kashmir have been identified as technically feasible for installation of public electric vehicle charging stations.
In the Jammu division, the proposed sites include 17 in Jammu district, five in Kathua, four in Rajouri, three in Udhampur, four in Doda, two each in Ramban and Reasi, and one in Samba. In Kashmir, four sites have been identified in Srinagar, three in Baramulla and one each in Anantnag, Budgam, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Kupwara.
Officials also informed the meeting that a proposal for procurement of 200 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model has received in-principle approval from the Government of India and is being processed through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
Dulloo directed departments to ensure timely development of charging infrastructure, electrical connectivity and other support facilities ahead of the deployment of the electric buses. He also called for coordination among agencies to ensure that both the inland water transport and electric mobility projects are implemented within the prescribed timelines.
