Water transport still alive in Kashmir

The means of transportation might have drastically changed in the valley since decades, yet some people even today love to commute by traditional means of water transport.

A walk along the bund of river Jhelum gives a glimpse of this surviving water transport and the way people use it. In the morning and evening hours a good number of people can be noted commuting by shikara to and from river bund. In the day times the number of commuters is less.

“I have been using shikara for going to my office since years. I follow the same habit even today, despite owing a car,” said Rafiq Ahmad, a commuter.

Shameema Khan, a teacher said she loves traveling by shikara.“It keeps away pollution and saves environment. Besides, it’s a lovely experience,” said Shameema adding that water transport saves from irksome traffic jams.

Shikara plying along the river have however reduced due to the coming up of the Foot Bridge and popularization of other transportation. Only countable number of shikara’s can be seen waiting for commuters. Besides officer goers, students are the common users of this water transport which is also a cheaper means of commuting.

“I have to get my daughter from school everyday. I never take my car but go by shikara because if I go by car it will take me hours to reach due to traffic mess,” said Bashir Ahmad, a shopkeeper.

“It is cheaper to travel by shikara than by bus. It is the best modes of traveling and people should use it increasingly,” Naushaad, an employee.

Nevertheless the shikara wallas are running in losses and fear extinction of this culture of water transport. The business of the shikara wallas was particularly hit by Foot Bridge.

“When there was no Foot Bridge, we would do wonderful business. But after this bridge came up, we suffered tremendously,” said Abdul Ahad, shikara wala Many of the shikaras which would ply near Foot Bridge lost their means of income. Those plying at other places survived somewhat. They are surviving due to the commuters presently using water transport.“We earn very less but at least we have something in hand. We want people to using shikara for commuting so that we can also survive well,” Ahad says.