IWAI, J&K Ink MoU to Develop River Cruise Tourism

07 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to enhance river cruise tourism on three national waterways in the region. The agreement was formalised on the sidelines of the Chintan Shivir in Srinagar, in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and other officials.

J&K has three declared national waterways: River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49), and River Ravi (NW-84). As part of the MoU, IWAI will invest approximately Rs 100 crore in developing cruise infrastructure. This includes the installation of ten floating jetties—two on River Chenab, seven on River Jhelum, and one on River Ravi—along with landside amenities such as waiting halls for passengers. IWAI will also undertake dredging, provide navigational aids, and conduct hydrographic surveys to ensure safe vessel movement.

The J&K government will facilitate statutory clearances, provide land for landside infrastructure, and appoint cruise operators for designated sectors. This collaboration aligns with the government’s vision to expand cruise tourism across India, following initiatives such as the MV Ganga Vilas on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. IWAI continues to develop inland waterways as an economic growth engine, with ongoing capacity augmentation projects on NW-1, NW-2, NW-3, and NW-16.

The partnership is expected to generate employment, stimulate local economies, and promote sustainable tourism, leveraging the region’s river network for enhanced travel experiences.

Real Estate

05 Sep 2025

Vitizen Hotels Signs Deal at Manyata Tech Park

Vikram Kamats Hospitality, as part of its ongoing expansion in key metropolitan markets, announced that its material subsidiary, Vitizen Hotels, has signed a long-term lease agreement for a 45-key hotel property at Manyata Tech Park, Bengaluru.Strategically located in the city’s prominent IT hub, the property is well-positioned to serve corporate travelers, business professionals, and long-stay guests. The addition aligns with the company’s asset-light growth model, leveraging long-term leases to expand its footprint in high-demand urban markets.The hotel is expected to strengthen the comp..

CONCOR Signs MoU with BPIPL to Operate Container Terminal at Bhavnagar Port

Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhavnagar Port Infrastructure (BPIPL) on September 4, 2025, in New Delhi to operate and maintain the upcoming container terminal at the northside of Bhavnagar Port, Gujarat.BPIPL had earlier entered into an agreement with the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) in September 2024 for the port’s development. Under this arrangement, 235 hectares of land has been leased to BPIPL for 30 years, with provision for expansion by an additional 250 hectares.The new terminal is expected to significantly enhance logistic..

Concord Launches India’s First Indigenous Zero-Emission Rail Propulsion

Concord Control Systems (CCSL), a leader in embedded electronics and critical rail technologies, has announced the development of India’s first fully indigenous zero-emission propulsion system, marking a significant step toward the country’s railway electrification and net-zero goals for 2030.Powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries and featuring a DC chopper-based drive, the propulsion system eliminates idling losses common in diesel engines, offering higher efficiency, lower costs, and zero emissions.What sets this innovation apart is its completely indigenous design. Except for..