New Delhi : Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated and launched the Recreational Yamuna River Cruise Service in Delhi, in the presence of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The initiative is aimed at promoting river tourism and offering visitors a unique experience along the Yamuna.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, alongside Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, flagged off the 6-km cruise service from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur, opening a new chapter in Delhi’s riverfront tourism. With facilities for parking, food, drinking water and children’s recreation, along with a focus on passenger safety, the initiative will boost tourism, local businesses and employment opportunities. Union Ministers of State Harsh Malhotra and Shantanu Thakur, MP Manoj Tiwari and Cabinet Ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh, Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Kapil Mishra attended the launch.
Aim behind the Delhi Government’s initiative
- Promoting river tourism: The government wants to add a new, accessible attraction to Delhi’s tourism map and make the Yamuna riverfront a destination for residents and visitors alike.
- Reconnecting people with the Yamuna: The cruise is meant to bring Delhiites closer to the river and is part of the wider push to rejuvenate it.
- Promoting eco-friendly travel: The cruise uses clean, electric and solar-hybrid vessels, supporting sustainable water transport and eco-tourism in the capital.
- Making use of the national waterway: The Delhi Government worked with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to develop the Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch of National Waterway-110 for recreational navigation.
- Affordable leisure for families: The aim is to give Delhi residents a good-quality recreational experience at affordable prices, with food, children’s zones and other leisure facilities.
- Boosting local economy and jobs: More footfall at the riverfront is expected to support local businesses and create employment.