Delhi CM says Yamuna cruise to be inaugurated before Chhath festival

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the ‘Namo Yamuna River Safari’ cruise service will be inaugurated before the Chhath festival, with the government aiming to develop it as a picnic destination for families.

“Our effort is to have its inauguration before the Chhath Mahaparv. This will become a beautiful picnic spot for families, where full attention will be given to nature and the cleanliness of Mother Yamuna,” Gupta said.

Gupta, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra and other officials took a ride on the cruise and inspected its facilities ahead of the proposed launch. The service is expected to be formally launched in the coming days after the completion of trial runs.

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The cruise will operate between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, covering a stretch of around four to five kilometres, and offer a 40-minute ride, an official said.

Each ride will accommodate a maximum of 30 passengers, he said, adding that tickets will be available online through the Delhi Tourism website.

The project aims to promote river-based tourism along the Yamuna stretch upstream of the Wazirabad barrage. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and Delhi government agencies signed an agreement in March 2025 to develop cruise tourism.

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The boats will be equipped with inboard bio-toilets with zero discharge, an announcement system and safety jackets.

Under the proposed arrangements, the operator will be responsible for providing a comfortable service and ensuring the safety of passengers, crew members and other river users.

Further, the air-conditioned boats can either be leased or owned and should not be more than two years old. The operator will also be required to ensure a minimum of four trips per day.