A polluted Yamuna River in Delhi
New Delhi: The four-kilometre segment of Yamuna River connecting Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur is set to undergo development aimed at enhancing cruise tourism. The Delhi Government today officially signed an agreement with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI). This initiative is intended to promote cruise tourism along the River Yamuna within the National Capital.
The initiative aims to transform the Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi into a hub for eco-friendly cruise operations. To ensure sustainable and non-polluting water transport, electric-solar hybrid boats—each capable of carrying 20-30 passengers—will be deployed as river cruise vessels. These boats will feature bio-toilets, Public Announcement systems, and life jackets for passenger safety.
Additionally, IWAI will install two HDPE jetties to facilitate smooth ferry operations. The project is set to boost short-distance navigation and recreational activities on National Waterway 110 (NW-110), upstream of Wazirabad Barrage, while promoting green and sustainable tourism. Beyond strengthening inland water transport (IWT), the initiative is expected to redefine Delhi’s tourism landscape by offering eco-friendly travel experiences along the Yamuna.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), which serves as the principal agency under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) for the management of National Waterways, today entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with several agencies of the Delhi government for the promotion of cruise tourism on Yamuna to enhance and promote cruise tourism along a four-kilometre segment of the river (National Waterway 110). These agencies include the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
The MoU signing ceremony was held at Asita Park and was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta; the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of State (MoPSW), Shantanu Thakur, and senior officials including T K Ramachandran, Secretary, MoPSW, and Vijay Kumar, Chairman, IWAI, among others.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal described the introduction of “eco-friendly “cruise tourism on the Yamuna a “milestone”, paving the way for cleaner, greener, and more efficient waterways that will boost both connectivity and tourism in the heart of Delhi.
“For years, the people of Delhi were saddened to see dirt and neglect floating on the Yamuna, but this initiative marks the beginning of a long-overdue correction. With the launch of these cruises, Delhiites along with scores of tourists, who flock to the capital, will once again fall in love with their river, experiencing its beauty in a way they never imagined,” he said.
The Yamuna River-stretch from Jagatpur in Delhi to its confluence with the Ganges at Prayagraj, spanning 1,089 km across Delhi, Haryana, and UP, was declared National Waterway-110 in 2014. MoPSW stated that the partnership with the Delhi government will strengthen urban water transport, promote eco-friendly cruise tourism, and drive local economic growth while enhancing travel experiences.
Meanwhile, expanding its reach across India—from Arunachal to Gujarat and J&K to Kerala—IWAI is enhancing NW 1, NW 2, NW 3, and NW 16 with new IWT terminals, fairways, night navigation aids, and locks. Emphasising sustainability under the “Harit Nauka Guidelines,” the Authority has introduced electric catamarans in Varanasi and Ayodhya, with six more set for Mathura and Guwahati.
By developing cruise terminals, and boosting river tourism on Ganga and Brahmaputra, IWAI stated, it was unlocking the potential of India’s waterways.
– global bihari bureau
