New Delhi: About 60 people took a ride as Delhi Tuesday launched the ‘Namo Yamuna River Cruise Service’ in Sonia Vihar, marking the beginning of a new recreational tourism initiative along the river.The service will offer visitors a 35-45-minute cruise experience along the Yamuna, with electric boats, a riverfront terminal and family-oriented recreational facilities. The pilot project, developed by Delhi govt in coordination with Inland Waterways Authority of India, covers the 4km Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch. An electric cruise with a capacity of 30 passengers has been introduced, while another vessel of the same capacity is expected to join the service by Feb-March 2027.The service was inaugurated by Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal in the presence of chief minister Rekha Gupta, water minister Parvesh Verma and tourism minister Kapil Mishra.Gupta said the initiative was not merely a cruise or boat service, but an effort to reconnect people with the Yamuna and its cultural and religious significance.“Namo Yamuna Safari reflects our faith and devotion to Maa Yamuna,” she said, adding that Delhi residents would now be able to enjoy a cruise experience in their own city instead of travelling to places such as Prayagraj.“The initiative aims to create a new tourism destination in the capital by combining boating with entertainment, food and outdoor activities,” said Verma.The riverfront terminal at Sonia Vihar has two floating jetties for passenger boarding and disembarking, ticket counters, a waiting area, paid parking, a food court and commercial shops.The premises have an entry fee of Rs 50 while the proposed fare for a complete cruise journey is Rs 500. The timings for the cruise are 9am till 8pm. The service will remain closed from July 1 to Sept 30 every year during the monsoon season. The project includes a theme-based musical fountain showcasing the story of Lord Krishna and the significance of Yamuna, a children’s play zone, gaming activities, and ecological and walking trails. Separate toilet facilities, a sewage treatment plant and a charging station for electric cruises have also been developed.Mishra said the river safari would provide a new recreational experience to families. “Govt’s effort is to develop new tourism opportunities along the Yamuna and give Delhi residents an opportunity to enjoy themselves while connecting with their cultural and natural heritage,” he added.However, environmental concerns have also been raised over the project. Bhim Singh Rawat, associate coordinator, South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, said similar proposals in the past had not materialised because of inadequate water flow in the Yamuna.He cautioned that cruise operations and associated noise could disturb aquatic life and migratory birds, particularly in the stretch upstream of Wazirabad, where human intervention has so far been limited. He said govt should prioritise restoring ecological flow, reducing pollution and protecting the river’s floodplains.
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