Himachal Pradesh may explore collaboration for model inspired by Water Metro

Impressed by the Water Metro, Himachal Pradesh may explore scope for a collaboration, though not along the exact model.

Vikramaditya Singh, the State’s Public Works and Urban Development Minister, felt that the model could be adapted for Himachal’s unique geography with lots of rivers and reservoirs. Here for the two-day Kerala Urban Conclave, Mr. Singh visited a Kochi Water Metro jetty and met officials in charge there on Thursday and was left much impressed.

While not completely ruling out a tie-up with Kochi Metro Rail Limited, the Minister, however, said that the same model may not be adopted, though. He added that Himachal may explore the prospects of using small boats for both cargo transport and tourism while drawing attention to the State’s rivers and reservoirs, especially the Bhakra Nangal Dam. A faster cargo movement is being explored by way of ropeways and boats to benefit the State’s ₹5,000-crore apple economy.

Mr. Singh said that uncontrolled visitor inflows threatened ecologically sensitive zones. He called for studying the carrying capacity of the mountains, citing how Bhutan allowed only a limited number of tourists. Himachal Pradesh may also have to follow suit and focus on quality tourism rather than quantity, he said.

Mr. Singh expressed concern over his State’s fragile ecosystem that is under severe stress due to unsustainable projects. The four-lane development of the highway may aid development, but the way mountains are being cut and forests cleared is imperilling the State’s ecology.

Mr. Singh observed how rapid urbanisation near rivers complete with a large number of dams had altered climatic patterns, resulting in erratic rainfall, cloudbursts, and rising ecological risks. The government will shortly commission a study to reduce such impacts, he said.

The Minister drew attention to the absence of an international airport in Himachal Pradesh while focussing on the connectivity issue. Air connectivity is critical for development, he said while marvelling at the five international airports in Kerala.