NEW DELHI: The newly elected BJP government in Delhi is moving forward with its promises, and one big plan is to make the Yamuna River a major tourist spot. The government is preparing to launch cruise rides on the river, aiming to turn the area near the Wazirabad barrage into a lively destination for visitors.
As part of this plan, ferry and boat taxi services will also be introduced. The Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) has already invited private companies to operate solar-powered cruises on a seven-kilometer stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur.
The project will be a joint effort involving several agencies, including the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the flood control department.
If everything goes as planned, the cruise service could start by the end of 2025. The government expects to finalize the operating company by April 2025. At first, two electric-solar hybrid boats will be introduced, each carrying 20-30 passengers. These boats will be air-conditioned and run year-round, except during the monsoon season.
The company chosen to run the ferry service will start with two electric-solar hybrid boats. Each boat will have space for 20-30 passengers and will travel at a speed of 5-7 knots.
These boats will come with key features like bio-toilets that don’t release waste into the river, an announcement system, and life jackets for safety.
The operator must ensure that the service is safe, reliable, and comfortable for passengers, crew, and other river users.
The boats will be air-conditioned and must be either newly leased or owned, but they cannot be more than two years old. According to the plan, there will be at least four trips per day.
The Yamuna River was a key topic in the recent Delhi elections, with both the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP arguing over its cleaning. While AAP blamed past governments for the pollution, the BJP accused the ruling party of negligence and promised to develop the Yamuna riverfront like Gujarat’s Sabarmati riverfront. Now, with this cruise project, the government hopes to boost tourism and improve the river’s image.