JAMMU, August 4, 2025 – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah conducted a detailed inspection of the Tawi Riverfront Development Project, a flagship initiative under Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), aimed at revitalizing the banks of the Tawi River. The project, nearing completion, is set to redefine Jammu’s urban landscape by integrating flood protection, recreational infrastructure, and commercial development, promising a dynamic urban space that enhances tourism, generates employment, and promotes sustainable development.
Accompanied by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies, IT, S&T, and Transport Satish Sharma, and senior officials including Commissioner JMC and CEO JSCL Devansh Yadav, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of Phase-I of the project, which spans from Bhagwati Nagar Barrageto Bikram Chowk Bridge. The inspection highlighted key features such as multi-tiered promenades, a central island, flood mitigation infrastructure (diaphragm and retaining walls), pier protection measures, and interceptor drains to divert polluted nallahs, ensuring cleaner river waters.
The Tawi Riverfront Project, inspired by Gujarat’s Sabarmati Riverfront, is designed to create a vibrant urban hub. Part-A of the project involves developing a 2.7-kilometer embankment with four promenades of varying widths, reclaiming approximately 23 hectares of land. Part-B will focus on finishing works, including connecting roads, food courts, viaducts, toilet blocks, horticulture, and promenade flooring. Chief Minister Abdullah expressed satisfaction with the pace of execution and emphasized the need for timely completion, stating, “This project is not solely about urban beautification but about shaping a new identity for Jammu centred on the historic Tawi River.”Abdullah also reviewed a monetisation strategy prepared by CBRE, which will support the extension of the riverfront from Tawi Bridge to Sidhra Bridge in future phases. He praised the coordinated efforts of JSCL, Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), and the Jal Shakti Department, directing officials to ensure quality, sustainability, and public convenience throughout the project’s execution.
The Chief Minister highlighted the project’s broader impact, noting its potential to boost tourism, create job opportunities, and provide sustainable commercial real estate options, including green buildings, parks, sports zones, and cultural plazas. A post on X from the Office of the Chief Minister stated, “The project will redefine Jammu’s urban landscape, boost tourism, create new job opportunities, and provide clean, green public spaces while ensuring sustainable development and flood resilience.”The Tawi Riverfront Project, alongside the nearly completed Jammu Artificial Lake, is expected to transform Jammu into a major tourism hub. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha previously announced that 90% of the project was complete as of November 2024, with full completion anticipated by January 2025.
These developments aim to enhance Jammu’s tourism potential, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for residents.However, environmental concerns have been raised by groups like Friends of River Tawi (FORT), who argue that the project’s focus on commercialisation and concretisation may harm the river’s ecosystem, especially amid worsening climate change impacts. Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the project will promote environmental sustainability and groundwater recharge while addressing flood control and pollution through strategic infrastructure.
As Jammu moves closer to realizing this transformative vision, the Tawi Riverfront Project stands as a testament to the city’s commitment to balancing urban development with ecological preservation, positioning Jammu as a vibrant, sustainable, and tourist-friendly destination.
