SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the progress of proposed inland water transport projects on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers and the rollout of electric mobility infrastructure under the Centre’s PM E-DRIVE scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works Department, Secretary Transport Avny Lavasa, divisional commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Vice Chairman Lakes Conservation and Management Authority, representatives of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and other concerned officials.
During the review, Dulloo stressed the need for time-bound completion of enabling infrastructure, including terminals, access facilities and navigation arrangements, besides removal of obstructions and shifting of utilities to ensure that water transport projects are operationalised within the stipulated timelines.
Officials informed the meeting that inland water transport facilities are being developed along identified stretches of the Jhelum (NW-49), Chenab (NW-26) and Ravi (NW-84).
A 106-km cruise corridor from Sangam to Gund Prang has been identified on the Jhelum. Land for 11 terminal locations has also been identified at strategic points, including Marham (Sangam), Pantha Chowk, Zero Bridge, Amira Kadal, Chattabal, Sumbal and Gund Prang.
Removal of local coffer dams has been identified as a key requirement for uninterrupted navigation along the Jhelum. The PWD has been tasked with removing 52 such structures, of which 18 have already been cleared, officials said.
On the Chenab, a 9-km stretch between Reasi and Akhnoor Fort has been identified for cruise-based water transport. A 15-km stretch of the Ravi at Sohar in Jammu is also being developed for the purpose.
The meeting was further informed that IWAI has awarded a tender for procurement of 10 specially designed hybrid eco-vessels, each with a passenger capacity of 20 people. The vessels are scheduled to be delivered by March 2027.
### 50 sites identified for EV charging stations
Later, the Chief Secretary reviewed the implementation of the PM E-DRIVE scheme in J&K, under which the administration is working to establish a public electric vehicle charging network.
Officials said 50 locations across Jammu and Kashmir have been identified and found technically feasible for setting up public EV charging stations.
Of these, 17 sites have been identified in Jammu, five in Kathua, four each in Rajouri and Doda, three in Udhampur, 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.
The administration is also pursuing procurement of 200 electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract model. The proposal has received in-principle approval from the Government of India and is being taken forward through Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL).
Dulloo directed the concerned departments and agencies to coordinate closely to ensure that charging infrastructure, electrical connectivity, land and other supporting facilities are established ahead of the deployment of the electric buses.
He emphasised that both initiatives should be aligned with J&K’s tourism, urban mobility and environmental sustainability objectives, directing departments to adhere to timelines and ensure continuous monitoring.
The Chief Secretary said the projects should translate into sustainable and people-centric transport solutions, with inland water transport and electric mobility infrastructure being developed in a coordinated manner.
