Delhi has taken a step towards developing river-based tourism with the launch of its first recreational Yamuna River Cruise service. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the service at Sonia Vihar on Tuesday in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The cruise service operates along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch and features a 30-seater electric vessel offering visitors a scenic experience over an approximately six-kilometre round-trip route. The initiative aims to tap the tourism and recreational potential of the Yamuna while providing residents and visitors with a new way to experience the national capital.
The inauguration was attended by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra, Delhi PWD and Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, Forest, Environment and Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and MP Manoj Tiwari.
Senior officials present included Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Rajeev Verma, Chief Secretary, Delhi Government; and Sushil Kumar Lohani, Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), along with other officials from the Central and Delhi governments.
Sonowal Calls Cruise a New Wave in Delhi’s River Tourism
Addressing the inauguration, Sonowal said the project reflected the government’s commitment to harnessing India’s inland waterways potential under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said India’s rivers and inland waterways were emerging as important drivers of economic growth, tourism and sustainable connectivity. The launch of Delhi’s first recreational cruise service on the Yamuna, he added, would help reconnect people with rivers and unlock their potential for tourism, trade and livelihoods.
Sonowal also highlighted the use of electric-powered vessels as part of the effort to promote cleaner and more efficient mobility, describing the initiative as a step towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat.
CM Gupta said the cruise service would add a new dimension to Delhi’s tourism landscape and encourage greater public engagement with the Yamuna. She described the river as an integral part of the capital’s history, culture and identity.
CM Gupta said the Delhi government was committed to developing the riverfront as an attractive public destination through improved amenities, sustainable infrastructure and experiences that celebrate the city’s heritage. The initiative is also expected to create fresh opportunities for tourism and local economic activity.
Light and Sound Show to Showcase Yamuna’s Mythological Heritage
Envisioned as a wider eco-tourism destination, the project includes several recreational attractions and visitor facilities. A major highlight is a musical fountain featuring a coordinated light and sound show depicting the history and spiritual significance of the Yamuna.
The presentation will highlight the river’s association with Surya Dev and Yama, as well as the divine leela of Shri Krishna, particularly the legendary episode of Kaliya Daman.
The destination also features a food court, shopping area, children’s play zone and adventure sports facilities, including skating and rock climbing. To improve visitor convenience, the project includes modern floating jetties, dedicated ticket counters, online booking facilities, restrooms, waiting areas and illuminated approach pathways.
Yamuna Cruise Part of Wider Inland Waterways Expansion
The Yamuna has been designated as National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. The launch of the recreational cruise service marks a step towards developing the waterway for passenger recreation and river-based tourism in the national capital.
The initiative is part of the broader expansion of India’s inland waterways network. Cargo movement on national waterways increased from 18 million metric tonnes in 2013-14 to 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26. Inland waterways also offer a cost-effective mode of cargo transportation, with freight movement estimated at ₹1.06 per tonne-kilometre, compared with ₹1.41 by rail and ₹2.28 by road.
River cruise tourism has also expanded, with the number of vessels offering overnight journeys rising from five in 2013-14 to 26 in 2025-26.
A major milestone in this segment was the journey of MV Ganga Vilas, recognised in the Limca Book of Records as the world’s longest river cruise. Covering more than 3,200 kilometres across India and Bangladesh, the journey connected 50 tourist destinations and traversed two countries, five states and 27 river systems.
The Recreational Yamuna River Cruise Service has been developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi Jal Board and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi Government.
The project is expected to give a fresh impetus to Delhi’s river tourism while promoting sustainable mobility and creating a new recreational destination along the Yamuna.
(PIB)
