Delhi’s Yamuna cruise service between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur has entered trial operations, with the government aiming to open the six-kilometre route to the public before Chhath Puja. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inspected the trial run on Monday and directed officials to complete pending operational works, while also ordering repairs and improvements at Soor Ghat ahead of the festival.
The proposed Yamuna Safari will carry up to 30 passengers on each trip. Officials told the Chief Minister that a round trip to the Shani Temple in Jagatpur and back is expected to take between 35 and 45 minutes. The trial run is scheduled to continue for around a week, while preparations for the formal launch are expected to be completed in the first week of November. The final launch date has not yet been announced.
Under the proposed pricing structure, access to the premises will cost Rs 50, while a complete cruise trip will be priced at Rs 500. The project is also expected to include food kiosks, a restaurant, a children’s zone and other public amenities intended to support visitors using the waterfront attraction.
Gupta said the initiative would strengthen Delhi’s cultural relationship with the Yamuna and create additional opportunities for tourism and recreation. “Delhi shares a deep emotional and cultural bond with the Yamuna. The launch of Yamuna Safari will give this bond a new dimension while opening up fresh opportunities for tourism and recreation in the capital,” she said.
The project is being implemented through coordination between the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department and the Delhi Jal Board. Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said the initiative was taking shape through coordination between the Centre, the Delhi government and other agencies.
During her inspection of Soor Ghat, Gupta flagged shortcomings in sanitation, lighting, water supply and basic amenities. She directed officials to repair damaged gates and rusted structures, restore water connections, improve lighting and ensure that toilets and other facilities were functional before Chhath Puja.
The Chief Minister also instructed departments to prioritise cleaning, repairs, painting, lighting, security and facilities for devotees, and said that temporary fixes would not be sufficient. “Chhath is a celebration of faith, emotions and traditions connected to their roots for lakhs of families from Purvanchal living in Delhi. Providing every devotee with a clean, safe and convenient environment is the government’s responsibility,” she said.
The administration is therefore pursuing two linked preparations along the Yamuna: a new visitor attraction at Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, and upgraded public facilities at Soor Ghat for Chhath devotees. Officials are expected to complete the pending works before the festival, while the cruise launch date remains subject to the completion of preparations.
