By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh is endowed with a number of rivers which are being extensively harnessed for generation of Power. While many of the hydro projects are run of river schemes, some of them are storage water schemes providing large tracts of Lake formations upstream of the Dams. Some of these lakes are stretched in upto 50 kms.
For long these pondage lakes have been offering beautiful sanctuaries for exotic birds and also as source of fisheries for the locals. Most prominent among these are Gobind Sagar Lake on Bhhakra Dam Project, the Kol Dam lake, Chamera Dam and Pong Dam.
These lakes could well be used for water transportation facilities for excursions as well as for movement of people and goods.
In line with the central government initiative to explore use of rivers for developing transport facilities, the government of Himachal Pradesh has now decided to tap these lakes for developing water transportation facilities.
Transport and Forest Minister Govind Thakur told that the government would fully exploit the water transport potential available in the state. He said that there were immense possibilities of water transport on dams built on different rivers in the state, which would be properly exploited. This would provide transportation facilities to the people and water sports.
The Transport Minister said that a detailed project report had been prepared to find out possibilities of water transportation at Chamera dam and Chowk Dam in Chamba district, Bhakra Dam located in Bilaspur district, and on other dams as well.
Govind Thakur told that water transport facility could be provided in 91 kms at Bhakra Dam, whereas about 52 kms in Kol Dam and 27 kms in Chamera. He also expressed the need to explore possibilities of water transport facility in Pong dam and other rivers and dams in the state.
