Jammu witnesses a landmark moment as boat rides begin on River Tawi for the very first time, transforming the city’s riverfront into a vibrant hub of tourism, culture, and community.
In a historic first for Jammu’s tourism landscape, the city officially launched boating activities on River Tawi with the inauguration of the two-day Tawi Boating Festival Jammu at the newly developed Artificial Lake. Held on January 28 and 29, 2026, the festival marks the long-awaited operational debut of boating in the heart of Jammu city.
Divisional Commissioner Jammu @Rameshkumarias, and MLA Jammu East, Shri Yudhvir Sethi, inaugurated two-day Tawi Boating Festival at the Artificial lake & Tawi Riverfront organised by Jammu Municipal Corporation and Jammu Smart City Limited.
— Divisional Commissioner Jammu (@Divcomjammu) January 28, 2026
The two-day festival marks the formal… pic.twitter.com/XUG1HhA5oM
The festival was inaugurated by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu and MLA Jammu East, Shri Yudhvir Sethi, at the Tawi Riverfront, an ambitious urban rejuvenation project developed by Jammu Municipal Corporation and Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL). The initiative aims to reconnect residents with the sacred river ‘Suryaputri Tawi’ while giving a significant boost to local tourism.
Open to the public free of cost from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, the event allows citizens to experience boat rides on the Artificial Lake, created by closing a barrage to retain nearly 4–5 metres of water in the river. The riverfront development has been inspired by the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat, blending recreation with urban aesthetics.
According to Dr. Devansh Yadav, CEO JSCL and Municipal Commissioner, the festival is also a live test of the lake’s operational feasibility ahead of regular boating services. To ensure safety, SDRF teams have been deployed across the venue.
Adding to the festive charm, the riverbanks are beautifully illuminated, while visitors enjoy Dogra cuisine stalls, live performances by local bands, and a photography contest capturing the transformed Tawi Riverfront.
📍 Event Details:
🗓️ 28–29 January 2026
⏰ 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📌 Left Bank, Tawi River
🚣 Free Boat Rides | 📸 Photography Contest
