Delhi’s first Yamuna River Safari is set for a proposed soft launch before Chhath, with trial runs beginning on a 5km route between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. The 40-minute boat rides will cost Rs 500 per person and each cruise will accommodate up to 30 passengers.
Chief minister Rekha Gupta inspected the project with Delhi minister Kapil Mishra and said the government planned to inaugurate the safari before the festival. She described it as a new experience for residents and a potential family recreation destination along the Yamuna.
“We plan to inaugurate this before the festival of Chhath. It will be a special experience for the people of Delhi,” Gupta said during the inspection, according to news agency ANI. She said the safari was intended to offer visitors a peaceful experience on the river, similar to boat journeys available in other cities.
The Delhi government has said the project is being developed with attention to the natural environment and the cleanliness of the Yamuna. Gupta said families would be able to use the site as a picnic destination while the administration sought to protect the river and its surroundings.
Tickets for the river safari will be made available online through the Delhi Tourism website, an official said, according to PTI. The service will undergo trial runs for four to five days before its formal inauguration. The operator will be required to provide at least four trips each day.
The project follows an agreement signed in March 2025 by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and Delhi government agencies to develop cruise tourism along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch. While the current safari route is described as 5km in the launch details, the earlier agreement referred to a four-kilometre stretch between the two locations.
The boats will have inboard bio-toilets with zero discharge, a public announcement system and safety jackets. The operator will be responsible for safe, reliable and comfortable services, including the safety of passengers, crew members and other river users.
The air-conditioned boats may be leased or owned, but they must not be more than two years old. The trial runs and the formal launch will establish how the service operates on the river, including boarding arrangements, passenger safety procedures and the online ticketing system. The Delhi Tourism website is expected to carry booking details for residents and visitors.
