Srinagar, August 2: In an important push towards sustainable urban transport and ecological protection, Chief Secretary Atal Dulu presided over a meeting to review the progress of starting the Inland Water Transport (IWT) in Srinagar, besides assessing the ongoing lake conservation efforts.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Hⅅ Secretary, Transport; Commissioner, SMC; Vice Chairman, LCMA; Representatives of Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and other stakeholders.
The meeting started with a thorough review of steps taken for the operation of water transport on the prestigious river Jhelum of the valley. Officials of IWAI and concerned departments highlighted that significant progress has been made, in which significantly the tarks have already been finalized.
Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur said that an MoU was signed between IY and J&K Sarkar on March 6, 2025, paving the way for systematic development of water transport facilities. He revealed that the Srinagar office of IVI is now completely functional and is working closely with the local authorities to track its implementation faster.
He further stated that with the required timeline of five months from the award date of July 15, 2025, work has been provided for seven floating concrete jetty on the Jhelum River. Fairway maintenance is already running with a dragger, which is on the bottom of each deployed upstream and Wular lake, he said.
In addition, it was divided that a study on urban water transport on the Jhelum River is being conducted by the Kochi Water Metro Limited. The stretch from Sangam to Shadipora Bridge has also been completed.
The Transport Department has shared a standard request for proposals (RFP) to attach an operator for hybrid electric cruise/boat services and is expected to be completed by December 2025.
In relation to Dal and Nigen Lake Conservation, Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) presented a detailed observation of measures taken for conservation, management and development of Dal and Nigeen lakes.
VC, LCMA, Shahid Salim, extended that the demarcation of the lake boundary has been completed for the first time through a survey conducted by India’s survey. He said that repeated drone surveys in February 2023 have helped control illegal constructions and encroachments. He said that a bathmitric/hydrographic survey was also conducted to enable scientific de-villing and dredging without damaging the lake’s ecosystem.
As far as sewerage treatment is concerned, the meeting was informed that five sewage treatment plants (STPs) are currently functional around lakes. All existing STPs are being upgraded under Amarut 2 to improve the quality of treated outflow. A new 30 MLD capacity STP is being constructed in the Gupta Ganga to complete the remaining areas on the north-eastern periphery of the lake. Additionally, 100 land-based bio-detectors in the tilble region have been established to ban untreated wastewater to enter the lake.
Due to other measures, it was given that day-wedding, lily extraction, and general cleaning are being done both mechanically and manually. In the last two years, 1/3 of the lake has been rejuvenated, and the open water has extended to more than 20.3 sq km. A bio-rate and weed disposal plant is now producing compost called ‘Apna Khad’ with the ability to annually to annually on 70,000 metric tons weeds.
Dressing the future initiatives, it was revealed that “an integrated management plan for the protection of pulses-nigen lake ecosystem with an estimated cost of the rupee. 212.38 crore, has been recommended for funds under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP). The project includes various activities such as catchment area management, dragging, sewerage works for Haamelets for Lake, and other lake conservation and beautification work to be done in the time-limit.
Expanding the conservation lens, the meeting noted the initiative for Khushalsar and Glasar Lakes. Plans for their revival and beautification were discussed, which stressed to increase tourism capacity by preserving their ecological sanctity.
Chief Secretary Dulu appreciated the coordinated efforts of various departments and called for timely execution of all planned initiatives. He outlined the need for permanent solutions connecting eco-pomp, heritage protection and modern urban dynamics.
