Electric solar hybrid boats to boost cruise tourism on river Yamuna in Delhi
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with multiple Delhi government agencies to promote cruise tourism on the Yamuna River. The MoU, which involves the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), aims to develop a four-kilometer stretch of the River Yamuna (National Waterway 110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony held at Asita Park, attended by senior officials including Lt. Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of MoPSW Sarbananda Sonowal, and Union Minister of State (MoPSW) Shantanu Thakur.
In his address, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the transformative impact of the government’s focus on sustainable inland water transport. He said, “India’s waterways have witnessed a transformational revival after decades of neglect. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary push for sustainable and modern inland water transport has turned potential into progress. The introduction of eco-friendly cruise tourism on the Yamuna is another milestone, ensuring cleaner, greener, and more efficient waterways that will boost both connectivity and tourism in the heart of Delhi.”
The initiative aims to transform the stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur into a hub for eco-friendly cruise operations. The government will deploy electric-solar hybrid boats, each capable of carrying 20-30 passengers. These boats will feature bio-toilets, Public Announcement systems, and life jackets to ensure passenger safety. To facilitate smooth operations, IWAI will also install two HDPE jetties for ferry services.
The project is designed to promote green, sustainable tourism while enhancing short-distance navigation and recreational activities on National Waterway 110, which stretches upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage. It is expected to redefine Delhi’s tourism landscape, offering an eco-friendly travel experience along the Yamuna River.
The Yamuna River, spanning 1,089 kilometers across Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, was declared National Waterway-110 in 2014. The development of this stretch forms part of the broader effort by IWAI, under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, to revive and develop India’s waterways infrastructure, enhancing economic growth and tourism.
IWAI’s efforts extend across India, with ongoing projects in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala. These include the development of new IWT terminals, fairways, night navigation aids, and locks on National Waterways 1, 2, 3, and 16. The Authority has also introduced electric catamarans in Varanasi and Ayodhya, with plans to deploy more in Mathura and Guwahati.
