Soon, Tattapani-Kasol-Slappar waterway to be a reality

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 5

The water transport route in the state will be a reality now. The Transport Department has decided to invite bids within 10 days for creating infrastructure at the Tattapani-Kasol-Slappar waterway with a tentative deadline of six months.

“We will invite bids for the route operator, too, so that we can start the services as soon as the infrastructure is ready,” said Director, Transport, JM Pathania. “We are confident to start the services on this route in six months.”

The waterway is part of the larger plan of using water bodies as an alternative mode of transport with the backing of the Inland Waterways Authority of India. The plan was mooted way back in 2015. A couple of water bodies, including Chamera dam in Chamba and Govind Sagar in Bilaspur, have been identified as potential waterways.

With the invitation of bids for creating infrastructure like jetties, ticketing counters, waiting halls, etc on the waterway at the Kol dam, the project will finally move on to the ground from files.

Once operational, it will save a lot of time and money of passengers. “It takes four hours by road from Tattapani to Slappar. Using this waterway, it will take just 45 minutes,” said Pathania. The department will rejig some bus routes or create new ones to cater to the passengers, using the waterway. “Once they disembark from boats, they will need buses at that point to ferry them further to their destination,” he said.

“Apart from running passenger boats, the operator could also run boats for tourists. Onboard, the tourists could be treated to local culture and cuisine,” the director said.

“The department plans to float tenders to engage consultants to prepare reports on other possible routes on Chamera, Govind Sagar and Kol dam. “We could do that in a phased manner,” said Pathania.