Jhelum transport shows signs of revival in Srinagar

By: Musaib Iqbal MK

Srinagar

The government has been very keen to provide the alternate transport via river Jhelum for the people and in this direction on Thursday authorities launched a bus boat on trial basis in the river Jhelum.

A private person has launched this bus boat in river Jhelum and he is hopeful that it would be a very peaceful and environment friendly transport available for the people to go to the different spots in Srinagar city especially to downtown Srinagar.

He said that this bus boat will ply from Lasjan to Veer Chattabal. If the water transport starts picking up in Srinagar city, this private company is likely to procure more boats.

According to the KNO, the private company has appreciated the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha led administration and Tourism department for taking such initiatives, which would help in reviving the water transport.

Malik also appealed to the common masses to use water transport like road transport.

Accounts Manager of the company, Abdul Hanan said that this is the first such initiative, adding that they have procured this boat from outside the country as per the instructions of Government of India.

“JKTDC has issued tenders in this regard and we have procured it. We have imported this boat, which has the capacity of 35 passengers, drivers and four rescue operators. We have done the trial run from Lasjan to Lal Chowk,” Hanan said.

“As the roads are already congested, water transport will help in easing the hardships of people,” he added.

With inputs from KNO