Srinagar, Sept. 5 -- Rivers and lakes were once important transport routes in Jammu and Kashmir. The Jhelum connected communities and supported movement of people and goods. Local lakes also played an important role in daily life. That tradition gradually declined. By the late 1970s, regular water transport had slowed considerably as road infrastructure expanded. Today, it is time to look at waterways again. Urban water transport can offer an important alternative to congested roads. The experience of Kochi Water Metro is particularly relevant. It has provided an alternative mode of transport while also becoming a tourism attraction. Srinagar has many of the natural advantages needed for a similar system. The Jhelum and Dal Lake already f...