Delhi's Yamuna River Cruise Project: Union Minister Reviews Rs 20 Crore Eco-Friendly Tourism Initiative

The Yamuna River Cruise project is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore to enhance Delhi's tourism offerings.

New Delhi:

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal conducted a thorough review on Tuesday of the Yamuna Boat Tourism and Ferry Infrastructure Development Project, an initiative designed to introduce recreational cruises and ferry services for both residents and visitors to the National Capital.

According to an official statement released, this ambitious project is strategically located upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage, between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. It aims to provide an innovative green tourism experience while simultaneously improving connectivity through environmentally friendly river transportation options.

The government has allocated approximately Rs 20 crore for this development initiative, reflecting its significance in the national infrastructure portfolio.

The Yamuna River, officially designated as National Waterway 110 (NW-110), spans an impressive 1,080 kilometres from Delhi's Jagatpur area to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, representing a significant inland waterway.

As part of broader efforts to enhance inland water transport systems and promote short-distance urban tourism opportunities, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is currently developing comprehensive facilities along a 6-7 km round-trip corridor connecting Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. After conducting an on-site progress inspection, Minister Sonowal emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the government's dedication to developing sustainable and modern waterway infrastructure.

"Eco-friendly cruise tourism on the Yamuna represents a significant milestone in our development strategy, establishing a foundation for cleaner, greener, and more efficient water transport that will substantially enhance both connectivity and tourism in Delhi's urban core," Sonowal stated.

The corridor is designed to function as a central hub for environmentally conscious cruise operations, utilizing electric-solar hybrid boats capable of accommodating between 30 and 40 passengers per journey. These vessels will be equipped with comprehensive safety features, including life jackets and public announcement systems to ensure passenger security.

Currently, India boasts 111 national waterways covering 20,187 kilometres across 23 states and four Union Territories, demonstrating the country's extensive inland water network.

Of these, thirty-two National Waterways are already operational for shipping and navigation purposes. The government has set an ambitious target to increase the number of operational waterways to 76 by 2027. The efficiency of these waterways is already evident, with cargo movement on national waterways reaching an unprecedented volume of 146 million tons between April 2024 and March 2025, marking the most successful performance period to date.