Srinagar, August 3, 2025 : In a move to promote sustainable transport and ecological preservation, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of Inland Water Transport (IWT) initiatives and lake conservation projects in Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including the Commissioner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), representatives from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and other key stakeholders.
The session began with a detailed briefing on the development of water transport on the Jhelum river. Commissioner Secretary Mandeep Kaur informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between IWAI and the J&K Government on March 6, enabling structured progress on the project. The IWAI’s Srinagar office is now fully functional and actively coordinating with local agencies.
Work on seven floating concrete jetties has been awarded, with completion expected within five months from July 15. Dredging operations upstream and downstream of Wular Lake are also underway. A feasibility study, conducted by Kochi Water Metro Ltd, covers the Sangam to Shadipora Bridge stretch. The Department of Transport has also floated a Request for Proposal (RFP) to engage an operator for hybrid electric boats, targeted for rollout by December.
The meeting also reviewed the Dal and Nigeen Lake conservation efforts. Vice Chairman of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), Shahid Saleem, presented key achievements including successful lake boundary demarcation using Survey of India data and regular drone surveillance to curb encroachments. A Bathymetric Survey has guided scientific de-weeding and dredging.
LCMA highlighted ongoing mechanical and manual cleaning, lily extraction, and restoration efforts. Over the last two years, one-third of the lake area has been rejuvenated, expanding the open water stretch to 20.3 sq km. A bio-methanation plant processing 70,000 MT of weeds annually is now operational, producing organic manure branded as ‘Apna Khad’.
For the next phase, officials proposed an “Integrated Management Plan for Dal-Nigeen Lake Ecosystem” worth ₹212.38 crore, which has been submitted for funding under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
