Delhi’s proposed Yamuna river cruise will connect Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur on a five-kilometre route, with a 40-minute journey planned at a fare of ₹500 per passenger, according to a report by Live Hindustan – NCR. The service, named Namo Yamuna River Safari, is being developed as a new river-based tourism and recreation option for Delhi residents and visitors.
The cruise is expected to carry up to 30 passengers on each trip. Before its formal inauguration, the proposed service will undergo a four- to five-day trial run to assess operational preparedness. However, the date on which regular passenger operations will begin has not yet been announced.
The planned route will run between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, allowing passengers to view parts of Delhi and its surrounding areas from the Yamuna. The project is intended to promote river tourism and provide an alternative leisure experience in the capital, where the river has traditionally been treated more as a flood-management and environmental concern than as a passenger or tourism corridor.
The project plans to use electric-solar hybrid boats. The vessels are expected to have seating capacity for between 30 and 40 passengers, although the reported operating plan specifies a maximum of 30 passengers for a single journey. Safety arrangements are also planned, including life jackets and a public announcement system.
The cruise facilities are being developed on a section of National Waterway-110, or NW-110. The Yamuna has been notified as part of this waterway, which extends for about 1,080 kilometres from Jagatpur in Delhi to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is working to promote river transport and tourism along the waterway.
Implementation involves several agencies. The Indian Inland Waterways Authority has entered into an agreement with the Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the Delhi Development Authority, the Delhi Jal Board and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation. The agencies are involved in developing the river stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur for cruise tourism.
The proposed service will therefore depend not only on the boats but also on coordination among agencies responsible for waterways, flood control, land, water infrastructure and tourism. The immediate official milestone is the planned four- to five-day trial run. Details of the regular operating schedule and the formal inauguration are still awaited.
