New Delhi, 26 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday inspected the trial run of the ‘Namo Yamuna River Safari’, a cruise service being developed along the Yamuna River between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. During the visit, she received a detailed briefing from officials on the project’s progress, operational arrangements and facilities being developed for passengers.

The Chief Minister said the people of Delhi shared a deep emotional and cultural bond with the Yamuna. The introduction of the river safari, she said, would give this connection a new dimension while opening up fresh avenues for tourism and recreation in the national capital.

CM Gupta said the government planned to formally launch the service before the Chhath festival so that residents could experience the new attraction. The initiative would allow people to enjoy a cruise while viewing the Yamuna and would mark an important step towards developing an appealing tourism destination for families.

She emphasised that while tourism infrastructure was being developed, equal importance must be given to maintaining the river’s cleanliness and protecting the environment. Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra and officials from the departments concerned were also present during the inspection.

The Chief Minister said the cruise service was being developed along an approximately six-kilometre stretch of the river between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. The project is expected to open up new tourism opportunities in Delhi, stimulate local economic activity and generate employment. Facilities along the riverfront are being developed to transform the area into an attractive destination for tourism and recreation.

As part of the project, facilities for visitors will include food kiosks, restaurants, a children’s play zone and other essential public amenities.

During the inspection, officials informed the Chief Minister that preparations were under way to operate a cruise with a capacity of 30 passengers on the route. The round trip from Sonia Vihar to the Shani Temple at Jagatpur and back is expected to take approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Passengers will enjoy a boat ride along the designated route before returning to their point of departure.

The trial run is planned to continue for approximately one week, with the formal inauguration tentatively scheduled for the first week of November. An official announcement will be made once the final date has been decided.

Under the proposed pricing structure, visitors will be charged an entry fee of Rs. 50 for the premises, while the proposed fare for a complete cruise journey will be Rs. 500.

CM Gupta appreciated the efforts of the concerned departments of the Central and Delhi governments in bringing the project to fruition. She said effective coordination among various agencies was helping create new tourism opportunities in the capital.

The agencies involved in the project include the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Delhi Jal Board.

Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra described the Yamuna River Safari as an exceptional project being developed through the joint efforts of the Central government, the DDA, the Delhi government and Delhi Tourism.

He said the initiative would offer residents and tourists an enjoyable riverside experience, featuring boat rides, a musical fountain, water sports and a food park. Mishra added that all applicable National Green Tribunal (NGT) requirements and environmental standards had been followed.

He reiterated that the Chief Minister had announced plans to open the attraction to the public before Chhath Puja. Preparations were also under way to organise grand Chhath Puja celebrations along the banks of the Yamuna this year.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar