New Delhi, 10 November (H.S.): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday inaugurated the Namo Yamuna River Cruise Service, developed along the Yamuna riverfront at Sonia Vihar, marking a new initiative to promote river-based tourism and recreational activities in the national capital.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Gupta said the Yamuna was an integral part of Delhi’s identity, culture, religious faith and way of life. Extending her congratulations to the people of Delhi, she described the occasion as a historic moment for the capital.

She said the Namo Yamuna River Safari was not merely a cruise or boating service but an initiative rooted in people's faith, affection and devotion towards Maa Yamuna. Through this facility, residents would be able to experience a closer connection with the river, appreciate its natural surroundings and rediscover their relationship with it.

The Chief Minister said Delhi residents would now have the opportunity to enjoy an experience that previously required travelling to Prayagraj or other cities for boating and cruise rides. Such an opportunity to experience nature at close quarters was now available in the national capital itself.

Union Ministers of State Harsh Malhotra and Shantanu Thakur, MP Manoj Tiwari, Delhi Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh and Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra were among those present on the occasion.

CM Gupta urged Delhi residents to visit the facility with their families, bring their children to seek the blessings of Maa Yamuna and enjoy the natural surroundings. She said the initiative would help strengthen Delhi's positive image and give the capital's tourism sector a distinctive identity.

Taking a swipe at previous governments, the Chief Minister alleged that political discourse earlier had been dominated by allegations, counter-allegations and excuses rather than development. She said the present government was working to resolve longstanding problems and develop better facilities for the people of Delhi.

She added that respecting the religious beliefs and traditions of Delhi's residents remained a priority for her government. Referring to the Chhath festival, Gupta said people had earlier faced difficulties in performing rituals along the banks of the Yamuna. However, the present government organised a grand Chhath celebration on the riverbank during its first year in office.

Expressing confidence that the festival would be celebrated on an even grander scale this year, she said the people of Delhi had elected the government to ensure the capital's development and serve the public interest, and that it would continue to discharge this responsibility.

Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra described the Namo Yamuna River Safari as an initiative that would offer a new tourism experience in the capital. He said visitors would be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Yamuna, while a musical fountain would present the stories of Lord Krishna and the glory of Yamuna Maiya through music.

He added that several attractions, including a creative zone, food zone, gaming activities and a dedicated children's zone, had been developed to enable families to spend quality time at the destination.

To promote tourism and transport facilities along the Yamuna riverfront, the Delhi Government and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have undertaken a pilot project for recreational boating and short-distance ferry services. Under the initiative, a stretch of approximately six kilometres between the Wazirabad Barrage and Jagatpur has been identified as suitable for water transport. A minimum navigational depth of 1.5 metres has been stipulated for operating small passenger vessels along the stretch.

The complete journey is expected to take approximately 35 to 45 minutes. Passengers will be able to enjoy a boat ride along the designated route and return to their starting point after completing the trip. Under the proposed fare structure, the entry fee to the premises has been fixed at Rs 50, while a complete cruise ride is priced at Rs 500.

As part of the project, recreational cruise and ferry services have been developed along an approximately four-kilometre stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. A fully developed riverfront terminal has also been established at Sonia Vihar. The initiative aims to give a new identity to Delhi's natural and cultural heritage by promoting green transport, urban tourism and public amenities.

Taking seasonal river conditions during the monsoon into account, the service will remain suspended every year from July 1 to September 30.

The project includes an electric cruise vessel with a passenger capacity of 30. A second electric cruise vessel with the same capacity is scheduled to be introduced by February-March 2027. The service is expected to allow tourists to experience the Yamuna's natural surroundings, riverside greenery and a different perspective of Delhi. The electric vessels will also promote environment-friendly transport and sustainable river tourism.

A dedicated riverfront terminal has been developed at Sonia Vihar to facilitate visitors. Two floating jetties have been constructed to enable passengers to board and disembark from the vessels. The terminal also offers ticket counters, a guard room, paid vehicle parking, a food court, a waiting area and commercial shops.

The Sonia Vihar project also features a children's play zone, a theme-based musical fountain, a food court, commercial outlets and other recreational facilities for tourists and families. Ecological trails and walking trails have been developed to enable visitors to enjoy the natural environment along the Yamuna.

Additional facilities include a charging station for electric cruise vessels, separate toilet facilities for men, women and persons with disabilities, a sewage treatment plant and a borewell to ensure the availability of drinking water.

With these facilities, the project aims to establish a well-organised and attractive tourism destination where visitors can enjoy boating and other recreational activities along the Yamuna riverfront.

The project has been developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India in coordination with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar