The Jammu and Kashmir government's plan to introduce inland water transport on the Jhelum river has stirred anxiety among Srinagar's houseboat owners. They fear that the operation of regular passenger boats, cruise tourism, and dredging along National Waterway-49 could further weaken the already fragile river houseboats. This concern has been amplified by the recent sinking of Queen's Club, a British-era-style houseboat that served as both a home and livelihood for a family on the river.
Houseboat Owner's Loss Highlights Risks
Ghulam Qadir Ghasi, 65, described Queen's Club as more than a tourism asset or a four-bedroom houseboat; it was the inheritance of his father and grandfather and the center of a life shaped by the Jhelum. In the early hours of May 21, Ghasi and his family were asleep on the houseboat, which was hosting two tourist couples and a freelance journalist, when his son noticed water rushing in. The family realized the boat was sinking. Ghasi attributed the sinking to the growing movement of motorized boats on the Jhelum, which he said had weakened the houseboat over time. Waves generated by speeding boats repeatedly struck the lower portions of the structure, damaging wooden planks and bindings, allowing water to seep in.
His loss has become a reference point for other houseboat owners as the J&K government prepares to implement the inland water transport project in collaboration with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). Officials say the project aims to promote sustainable and modern water transport, boost cruise tourism, and develop navigational infrastructure across Jammu and Kashmir's waterways.
Details of the Water Transport Project
A major component of the plan is National Waterway-49, a nearly 76-kilometer river corridor from Pantha Chowk in Srinagar to Wullar Lake in Bandipora. Construction of eight floating jetties is underway and expected to be completed by July 2026. Shore infrastructure is targeted for completion by July 2027, and navigational aids are scheduled to be installed by July 2026. Fairway maintenance is being carried out jointly by IWAI and the J&K government through dredging operations. Additionally, IWAI is procuring 10 hybrid electric boats, each capable of carrying 20 passengers.
Community Concerns and Lack of Consultation
Khursheed Peer, a Jhelum houseboat resident who has spent much of his life in France, said authorities failed to consult the community before finalizing the water transport project. Manzoor Ahmad Pakhtoon, president of the All Kashmir Houseboat Owners Association, noted that many of the surviving houseboats on the Jhelum date back to the British era and are part of Srinagar's river heritage. He pointed out that government surveys conducted in 2002 identified around 82 houseboats on the Jhelum and proposed alternative locations for owners, but those plans were never implemented. "We are not against the government's ambitious water transport services in Kashmir Valley from Pantha Chowk, but houseboats and their owners need safeguards," he said.
Government Response
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Anshul Garg, told the Times of India, "The administration has received several applications from houseboat associations. These applications are under consideration, and no decision has been taken so far. The project is still a few months away, and a decision on houseboats in Jhelum will be taken before its implementation."
