Delhi To Launch Cruise Services On Yamuna In November: Minister

Come November, residents of Delhi will be able to enjoy cruise services along the Yamuna, between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, as part of the government's efforts to rejuvenate the river, officials said.

Under the plan, an eight-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna has been developed from the Wazirabad barrage (Sonia Vihar) to Jagatpur (Shani temple) for cruise operations aimed at promoting tourism.

Five agencies have signed an MoU for launching the cruise services. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department are the stakeholders in this ambitious project.

The DDA will provide a land parcel for the development of a jetty, while the Irrigation and Flood Control Department will offer navigational aids and shore facilities with charging infrastructure for the cruises, officials said.

"Delhi is fully geared for cruise service. The work has been awarded and a jetty is being constructed. The services are expected to begin in November. Delhiites will soon be able to travel on a cruise upstream from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur," Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said.

An official said a decision on ticket pricing is yet to be taken, and based on the response, a call will be made on how many cruises to deploy.

"In the initial phase, there are plans to deploy two cruises. Since it will be winter, we hope there will be a good response," the official added.

The cruise will also operate during summer months and will remain suspended during the monsoon, he said.

The boats will be equipped with inboard bio-toilets (zero discharge), an announcement system, and safety jackets.

The operator will be responsible for providing a safe, reliable, and comfortable cruise service, ensuring the safety of all passengers, crew, and other river users.

The air-conditioned boats will be either leased or owned and not more than two years old. The operator will be required to ensure a minimum of four trips per day, officials added.

In March this year, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had announced that eco-friendly electric-solar hybrid boats would be introduced to promote sustainable travel.

Gupta said she envisions Yamuna ghats evolving into a cultural and artistic hub, similar to those in Varanasi, and emphasised the government's commitment to sustained Yamuna cleaning efforts and continuous development work.

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