Uber launched its water transportation hailing service in India's Kashmir Region on Monday. The service offers rides on popular tourist boats on the Dal Lake.

Uber officials confirmed that users can reserve trips on the traditional wooden Shikara boat for the lake if they book at least 12 hours in advance and up to fifteen days.

This is the first time that the ride-hailing application has offered water transport services to Indians.

Shikaras are also popular with locals and tourists.

Uber will connect customers with Shikara operators, but it will not charge any fees for rides booked via its app. It said that the Shikara operator would receive the entire amount paid by the passengers for the boat.

Uber Shikara, our humble attempt at blending technology and tradition, will give travellers a seamless Shikara experience, said Prabhjeet Sing, President, Uber India and South Asia.

Shikara operators are divided over Uber's entry into their industry. Some say it will boost their business, now that tourists can reserve rides in advance. Others insist it won't make much difference.

It will help our business. "There will be no bargaining or cheating. There will only be fixed prices." said Wali Mohammad Bhatt.

Shabir Ahmed, a Shikara operator in Dubai, was skeptical and said that operators would not be affected.

He said, "We have a customer base of our own."

India and Pakistan both claim Kashmir in its entirety, but it is governed in part. Since decades, the part of India that is under control has seen violence as militants battled security forces. In recent years, the violence in Kashmir Valley has decreased and tourists have been increasing. (Reporting and writing by FayazBukhari; editing by YPrajesh & Susan Fenton).

(source: Reuters)