Delhi’s Yamuna cruise service is expected to open to the public before Chhath Puja, while the government has ordered urgent repairs and improvements at Soor Ghat after identifying shortcomings in sanitation, lighting, water supply and basic amenities.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inspected a trial run of the proposed Yamuna Safari between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur on Monday and reviewed the project’s operational arrangements and visitor facilities. Officials said preparations for the formal launch are expected to be completed in the first week of November, although the final launch date has not yet been announced.
The cruise is being developed along an approximately six-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna. It will accommodate 30 passengers, with a round trip to the Shani Temple in Jagatpur and back expected to take between 35 and 45 minutes, according to officials who briefed the Chief Minister during the inspection.
Under the proposed pricing structure, visitors will pay Rs 50 for entry to the premises, while the complete cruise trip will cost Rs 500. The project is also expected to include food kiosks, a restaurant, a children’s zone and other public amenities.
Gupta said the initiative would strengthen Delhi’s cultural connection with the Yamuna and create additional tourism and recreational opportunities. “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 trial run is planned to continue for around a week. The project involves 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 being developed through coordination between the Centre, the Delhi government and other agencies.
During the same inspection, the Chief Minister reviewed preparations at Soor Ghat for Chhath Puja. She directed officials to repair damaged gates and rusted structures, improve sanitation, restore water connections and ensure adequate lighting. She also raised concerns about the condition of toilets and other facilities and instructed departments to make all amenities functional before the festival.
Gupta asked officials to prioritise cleaning, repairs, painting, lighting, security and facilities for devotees, stressing that temporary fixes would not be sufficient. She said Chhath was closely connected to the traditions of lakhs of families from Purvanchal living in Delhi and that the government was responsible for providing a clean, safe and convenient environment.
The two initiatives place the Yamuna at the centre of both a new tourism service and a major public gathering. The immediate administrative deadline is to complete the cruise preparations and Soor Ghat improvements before Chhath Puja, with the cruise’s formal launch date still to be confirmed.
