Uber’s much-hyped Shikara service on Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake appears to have run aground barely a month after its launch.
The initiative, promoted as a blend of technology and tradition, has faced stiff resistance from local Shikara owners, who accuse the ride-hailing giant of attempting to exploit their livelihoods.
The once-celebrated service is now absent from the lake, and locals say they are unwilling to partner with a private company that undermines their traditional way of life.
One Shikara owner, Abdul Hamid, said, “Such things do not work in Kashmir. Shikaras have a massive demand; we don’t need Uber to find us customers. Private companies like these exploit drivers everywhere—we’ve seen it in the news. Kashmir is not a place where you can buy people for a few bucks.”
Hamid’s sentiments are echoed by others who view the initiative as an encroachment on their heritage.
“This Dal is our blood,” said another operator. “We have preserved it for generations, and it gives us our livelihood. Our generation will not allow these waters to be exploited for corporate gain. We don’t know what happens after us!”
Adding to the resistance, no new Shikara owners have signed up for the service, leaving Uber without willing participants. “Nobody wants to do this here. The drivers and operators on the lake are united in saying no,” said a local Shikara operator.
The Uber Shikara service was initially launched with seven boats stationed at Ghat Number 16, offering tourists the ability to book rides via the Uber app. However, the partnership with Shikara owners appears to have dissolved within weeks.
The decline of the service also points to broader operational challenges, including the harsh weather conditions of Dal Lake, which make such ventures difficult.
A message on the Uber app currently states, “Due to severe weather conditions, Uber Shikara is not available.”
While Uber has yet to issue an official statement on the situation, Shikara owners remain adamant that their heritage and livelihood cannot be commodified.
“We have a working government here, which has taken action against exploitation in the past. Such ventures will not find space here,” said Hamid. With inputs from KNO