Himachal Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri attends Inland Waterways meet in Kochi
Kerala (The Uttam Hindu): Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today participated in the 3rd Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) Meeting held at Kochi in Kerela. The meeting was chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. The meeting was held onboard the cruise vessel “Imperial Classic”, symbolising India’s growing emphasis on inland water transport.
During the meeting, Sh. Sonowal apprised the Council of various initiatives being undertaken for the development of inland waterways in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, with special focus on river cruise tourism and religious tourism circuits.
The Union Minister informed that the River Ravi (National Waterway–84) was being developed for river cruise tourism from Ranjit Sagar Dam to Chamera Dam at Gandhian, with Jetty–1 scheduled for completion by January 2026.
It was also informed that River Sutlej (National Waterway–98) is being explored for developing a religious and tourism circuit connecting Tatapani and Naina Devi Temple in Himachal Pradesh with Anandpur Sahib and Kiratpur Sahib in Punjab and the feasibility study for the same is in progress.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, marking a significant milestone towards collaborative development of inland waterways in the State.
Addressing the Council, Mukesh Agnihotri strongly advocated for accelerated development of inland waterways in Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing that most of the rivers on which inland waterways were being developed across the country originate from Himachal Pradesh, making the State a key stakeholder in the National Inland Waterways Framework.
He urged the Government of India to extend enhanced technical and financial support, including the provision of hydro-electric catamaran vessels, which would be environmentally sustainable and ideally suited to the hill ecology of Himachal Pradesh.
The Deputy Chief Minister reiterated the State Government’s commitment to work closely with the Government of India and IWAI to promote eco-friendly inland water transport, tourism development, employment generation and sustainable regional growth.