Delhi Set for River Cruise Experience on Yamuna
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra on Tuesday reviewed the progress of Yamuna Boat Tourism and Ferry Infrastructure Development Project.
The project, located upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, aims to introduce recreational boat cruises and ferry services on Yamuna in the national capital. Developed at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore, the initiative will operate along a 6-7 km corridor on National Waterway 110, which stretches from Delhi’s Jagatpur to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh.
Sonowal said that the project reflects the government’s push for sustainable waterways. “Eco-friendly cruise tourism on the Yamuna marks a significant milestone and will boost connectivity and tourism in the heart of Delhi,” he said.
To implement the project, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed an MoU with Delhi government departments including Irrigation and Flood Control, the Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Jal Board and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. The plan includes cruise operations along a four-kilometre stretch of the river.
Electric-solar hybrid boats with a capacity of 30-40 passengers will be deployed. Two floating jetties, each capable of handling 50 passengers, have already been installed at Sonia Vihar. Additional facilities such as parking areas and recreational spaces are also planned.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that the initiative is expected to enhance green mobility, promote river-based tourism, and create new recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The review meeting was attended by Delhi ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh and Kapil Mishra, as well as senior IWAI and Delhi government officials.
Nationwide, IWAI is strengthening waterway infrastructure by developing terminals, improving fairways and introducing green mobility options. Electric catamarans have been launched in Varanasi and Ayodhya, with similar services planned in Patna and Guwahati. IWAI has also completed trials of India’s first indigenously built hydrogen fuel-cell vessel.
Highlighting the expansion of inland waterways, Sonowal said that the sector has seen significant growth over the past decade. Cargo movement on national waterways increased by 635%, and the number of operational waterways grew by 767%. Investments in the sector have risen by 233%.
India currently has 111 national waterways spanning more than 20,000 kilometres across 23 states and four Union Territories. The number of operational waterways is targeted to reach 76 by 2027.
Cargo traffic on national waterways reached a record 146 million tonnes between April 2024 and March 2025.
