Srinagar, May 5: The Kashmir tourism department today launched water taxis after a long gap for the benefit of tourists and local residents of Srinagar. The water taxis, actually boats, will run from Lal Chowk zero bridge to Chattabal.
The distance between Lal Chowk and Chattabal by river is 16 km, while the road distance from Khannabal to Chattabal is nearly 36 km. The fare has been fixed at Rs 25 per ghat (river bank) and there are 10 ghats in all.
This water transport will be privatized after some weeks, and this will ease traffic congestion on Srinagar's roads, said Asghar Samoon, divisional commissioner, Kashmir.
During the Maharaja's rule, most of the transport in Kashmir valley used to be through river water. Passengers and large goods used to be transported through Jhelum river from Khannabal in Anantnag district to Baramulla district by barges.
The distance between Lal Chowk and Chattabal by river is 16 km, while the road distance from Khannabal to Chattabal is nearly 36 km. The fare has been fixed at Rs 25 per ghat (river bank) and there are 10 ghats in all.
This water transport will be privatized after some weeks, and this will ease traffic congestion on Srinagar's roads, said Asghar Samoon, divisional commissioner, Kashmir.
During the Maharaja's rule, most of the transport in Kashmir valley used to be through river water. Passengers and large goods used to be transported through Jhelum river from Khannabal in Anantnag district to Baramulla district by barges.
