Srinagar to Anchor Inland Waterways Push in J&K

19 May 2025 CW Team

Srinagar has emerged as the central hub for a major initiative aimed at developing inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has inaugurated a regional office at Transport Bhawan in Srinagar. The office will act as the nodal centre for planning and executing IWT projects throughout the Union Territory.

The establishment of this office reflects the Union Government’s growing commitment to utilising the region’s river systems for sustainable and low-emission transport. With active support from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, IWAI aims to promote eco-friendly mobility while boosting the local economy and reducing the pressure on road networks.

Strengthening this initiative, IWAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the J&K government for the development of three national waterways: NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), and NW-84 (River Ravi).

Under the agreement, IWAI will install floating jetties at ten locations across the Union Territory and undertake dredging to ensure safe and continuous navigation. Night navigation aids will be introduced to enable 24-hour vessel operations, and hydrographic surveys will be conducted regularly to monitor and maintain navigable routes.

The project complements broader national efforts to reduce transport-related carbon emissions and promote green alternatives. River-based transport, seen as more sustainable than road or air travel, has the potential to improve regional connectivity, especially in remote or underserved areas.

This initiative is also expected to stimulate local economies, open new employment avenues, and encourage eco-tourism across Jammu and Kashmir. By integrating waterways into the Union Territory’s transport ecosystem, the government hopes to enhance logistics, improve access to essential goods, and generate long-term economic benefits.

The IWAI’s new Srinagar office will play a pivotal role in coordinating these projects, ensuring they are implemented efficiently and in line with sustainability goals. It represents a critical step towards inclusive development and highlights the government’s intent to harness India’s river systems as engines of green and equitable growth.

Srinagar has emerged as the central hub for a major initiative aimed at developing inland water transport (IWT) infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir.The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has inaugurated a regional office at Transport Bhawan in Srinagar. The office will act as the nodal centre for planning and executing IWT projects throughout the Union Territory.The establishment of this office reflects the Union Government’s growing commitment to utilising the region’s river systems for sustainable and low-emission transport. With active support from the Jammu and Kashmir administration, IWAI aims to promote eco-friendly mobility while boosting the local economy and reducing the pressure on road networks.Strengthening this initiative, IWAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the J&K government for the development of three national waterways: NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), and NW-84 (River Ravi).Under the agreement, IWAI will install floating jetties at ten locations across the Union Territory and undertake dredging to ensure safe and continuous navigation. Night navigation aids will be introduced to enable 24-hour vessel operations, and hydrographic surveys will be conducted regularly to monitor and maintain navigable routes.The project complements broader national efforts to reduce transport-related carbon emissions and promote green alternatives. River-based transport, seen as more sustainable than road or air travel, has the potential to improve regional connectivity, especially in remote or underserved areas.This initiative is also expected to stimulate local economies, open new employment avenues, and encourage eco-tourism across Jammu and Kashmir. By integrating waterways into the Union Territory’s transport ecosystem, the government hopes to enhance logistics, improve access to essential goods, and generate long-term economic benefits.The IWAI’s new Srinagar office will play a pivotal role in coordinating these projects, ensuring they are implemented efficiently and in line with sustainability goals. It represents a critical step towards inclusive development and highlights the government’s intent to harness India’s river systems as engines of green and equitable growth.

Real Estate

02 Apr 2026

Indian real estate attracts USD 1.4 bn institutional investments in Q1 2026: Vestian

Institutional investments in India’s real estate sector touched USD 1.4 billion in Q1 2026, marking the highest first-quarter inflow since 2022, according to Vestian. While investments fell 62 per cent quarter-on-quarter due to an exceptionally high base in the previous quarter, they rose 74 per cent compared to the same period last year, reflecting sustained investor confidence despite rising geopolitical and macroeconomic challenges.Commercial real estate remained the key driver of investment activity during the quarter, accounting for 80 per cent of total inflows, sharply higher than 38 p..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Apr 2026

VECV crosses 1 lakh annual vehicle sales milestone in FY26

VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and Eicher Motors, has surpassed the 1 lakh annual sales mark in FY 2025–26, recording its highest-ever commercial vehicle sales performance. The company said it sold more than 100,000 vehicles during the year, marking a major milestone aligned with the original vision of the Volvo–Eicher joint venture.The strong performance was supported by demand across categories. Light and Medium Duty (LMD) trucks contributed 47,789 units, accounting for 46.1 per cent of total sales. Heavy Duty (HD) trucks recorded 26,867 units (25.9 pe..

Technology

02 Apr 2026

Rodic Digital & Advisory partners SatSure to deploy EO intelligence in public sector

Rodic Digital & Advisory (RDA), the strategic advisory and digital transformation arm of Rodic Consultants, has signed a strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SatSure to jointly pursue opportunities in India’s public sector. The collaboration aims to integrate high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) data and geospatial AI into government workflows to strengthen monitoring, compliance, and operational decision-making across key sectors.The partnership combines SatSure’s Earth intelligence capabilities with RDA’s expertise in government digital transformation and ..