Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated all J&K tourism industry players on the launch of Uber Shikara services in Srinagar.
According to a social media post by the Lieutenant Governor, the introduction of Uber Shikara services would give tourists a smooth method to enjoy the classic charm of Shikara journeys. He praised Uber for their forward-thinking approach and stated that the Uber Shikara in Srinagar is an example of how technology can be used creatively to enrich our cultural legacy.
Meanwhile, Uber India introduced its first water transport service for shikaras in the famous Dal Lake in an attempt to expand beyond taxis and take advantage of the increasing number of visitors visiting Kashmir.
The company claims that for Shikara rides reserved through its mobile app, the service offers services including trip insurance and pre-booking.
Prabhjeet Singh, president of Uber India and South Asia, stated, “Uber Shikara is our modest attempt to combine technology and tradition, giving travelers a seamless and memorable experience during their shikara rides.”
Shikara rides can be scheduled up to 12 hours and up to 15 days in advance. A distinctive feature of Kashmir is Dal Lake, which is well-known around the world for its houseboats and shikaras.
Uber has now boarded seven shikaras and intends to increase the number of vehicles based on user feedback.
Additionally, the company emphasized that this water transport service is the first of its kind in Asia, not only in India.
Users will be able to reserve rides at prices authorized by the government using the Uber Shikara service. Crucially, the entire cash will go straight to the Shikara proprietors; there won’t be any commission for Uber.
According to Shikara Owners Association President Wali Mohammad Bhat, “this initiative will boost our business. Overpricing is not tolerated because government-regulated rates are in effect. We hope this boosts Kashmir’s tourism industry and raises our standard of living. Some shikara owners are still dubious about the initiative’s ability to boost profits, but many are hopeful.”