Jammu, Jan 27 (KNO): After nearly 15 years, the dream of an artificial lake on the Tawi River in Jammu city has finally taken shape, with Jammu Smart City Limited announcing a two-day Tawi Boating Festival on January 28 and 29.
An official while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “The festival will be held from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm and will be open to the public free of charge. Boats will operate on the artificial lake while the riverbanks will be illuminated with decorative lights.”
Pertinently, the artificial lake has been created by closing the barrage and retaining water in the Tawi River in collaboration with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. Around three to four metres of water has been accumulated to facilitate boating activities.
Talking to reporters here, Smart City CEO and Municipal Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav said the festival aims to connect people with the newly developed lake and test its operational feasibility. “Boats will be operated for two days on a trial basis, while local bands and stalls offering traditional Dogra cuisine have been arranged to enhance the festive atmosphere,” the officer added.
He said, “If the trial proves successful, boating and allied activities will be made part of routine operations in future. SDRF teams will be deployed during the event to ensure safety, and the programme will be conducted in coordination with various departments.”
Dr Yadav said systems have been put in place to handle flood-like situations during the rainy season, adding that only limited water will be retained while the rest will be released as required.
It may be recalled that the project, executed at a cost of about Rs 180 crore, was revived after 2019. It was originally launched in 2010 by the then NC–Congress coalition government and later expanded from the initial plan of 1.5 km to nearly seven km, stretching from Gujjar Nagar to Bhagwati Nagar. Work on the project was stalled for several years before being resumed following the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019.
In the first phase, a 2.7-km stretch from the Bhagwati Nagar fourth bridge to the Bikram Chowk bridge, including an island and both riverbanks, has been developed along with the artificial lake. The remaining 4.3 km stretch up to Gujjar Nagar will be developed in the second phase.
Jammu Smart City Limited has developed the riverfront on the lines of the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat. Future plans include water sports, green zones and commercial complexes along the riverbanks under a PPP model, officials said.
To check pollution, five major drains falling under the first phase have already been diverted from the Tawi River, while work on diverting the remaining drains is expected to be completed this year—(KNO)