The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has inaugurated a new office in Srinagar to enhance the inland water transport (IWT) sector in Jammu & Kashmir.

This move supports the development of river navigation infrastructure across three national waterways in the Union Territory - NW-26 (River Chenab), NW-49 (River Jhelum), and NW-84 (River Ravi).

The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the J&K government and IWAI in March 2025. Under the agreement, IWAI will implement various infrastructure projects including the installation of floating jetties at ten strategic locations across J&K, creation of navigational fairways through dredging where needed, deployment of night navigational aids, and conducting regular hydrographic surveys to ensure safe vessel operations.

IWAI also plans to develop water navigation infrastructure in Kashmir’s Dal and Wullar lakes. A cruise hotel proposal for Wullar Lake is among the projects already under consideration by IWAI, according to officials. This development aligns with a broader strategy to enhance eco-friendly transport alternatives and tap into the region’s tourism and economic potential.