Baramulla, Jan 5: The revival of water transportation from Baramulla to Srinagar—once an age-old and vital mode of transport—could emerge as a major boost for tourism and sustainable mobility in North Kashmir.
Doongas and shikaras once formed a thriving river transport network along the Jhelum, connecting villages, markets, and towns. As traffic congestion, pollution, and road accidents increasingly plague the Valley, the idea of reviving river transportation on the Jehlum is gaining renewed relevance. Muhammad Shaban, an octogenarian from Baramulla town, recalled one such journey from Baramulla to Srinagar undertaken decades ago. He said he was part of a group of people who travelled by shikara to the Makhdoom Sahib shrine in Srinagar, long back.
“It was a remarkable journey. Women recited Durood-e-Sharief while men manually ferried the shikara upstream towards Srinagar,” Shaban said. “The journey would take a few days, but the excitement and energy levels among the group members were very high,” he added.
Introducing river transport between Baramulla and Srinagar is believed to be a game-changing initiative, blending heritage revival with sustainable tourism. “If introduced, electric or solar-powered boats could minimise carbon emissions, reduce fuel consumption, and protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem,” said Muhammad Ashraf, a local resident.
“At the same time, such an initiative would require cleaning and dredging parts of the Jhelum, which would improve overall river health,” he added. According to several elderly residents of Baramulla town, the River Jhelum was once the lifeline of Kashmir. They said the river carried not just water, but people, goods, culture, and memories. “As traffic congestion, pollution, and road accidents continue to affect Valley roads, reviving river transportation on the Jhelum has become more relevant than ever,” said Bilal Ahmad, another local resident.
“Such a project would not only reconnect Kashmiris with their past but also offer tourists a slow, scenic, and immersive travel experience through orchards, wetlands, old settlements, and historic riverbanks,” he added. In Baramulla town, remnants of this past glory can still be seen in parts of Urdu Bazaar, where old structures once used for storing goods arriving from across the border still stand.
These structures serve as reminders of how vibrant river transportation once was. “These structures remind us of how active and lively river transport used to be. We wish it will be restored one day so that we can reconnect with our past memories,” said Khurshid Ahmad, a town resident.
From a tourism perspective, reviving water transport between Baramulla and Srinagar could open up a new niche. Heritage cruises, eco-friendly ferries, and cultural boat journeys featuring local cuisine, handicrafts, and folklore could significantly enhance the tourist footprint beyond Gulmarg and Srinagar.