Delhi is one more step closer to its very own river cruise experience, thanks to the Yamuna Boat Tourism and Ferry Infrastructure Development Project. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal joined Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, among other officials, on Tuesday to review the progress of the project.
This new development is set upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage on the Yamuna River, covering a key stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. Designed for eco-friendly travel, the cruise project is set to be a milestone in modernising urban tourism and transforming travel for the city’s residents and visitors alike, according to the shipping and waterways ministry.
“Eco-friendly cruise tourism on the Yamuna is a major milestone, paving the way for cleaner, greener and more efficient water transport that will boost connectivity and tourism in the heart of Delhi,” said Sonowal.
At an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore, the project harnesses the Yamuna’s potential as National Waterway 110 (NW-110), a waterway stretching 1,080km from Delhi to Prayagraj.
The cruise corridor itself is about six to seven kilometres and will deploy electric-solar hybrid boats, each with a capacity to carry 30 to 40 passengers. These vessels are built with public safety in mind, including essentials like life jackets and onboard announcement systems.
Already, two floating jetties at Sonia Vihar have been installed to support boarding and disembarking, with further facilities like parking and open-air recreational areas soon to follow.
This project is part of a wider movement by the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to harness inland waterways for both commerce and urban recreation, unlocking new possibilities for economic growth and cleaner transport.
The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is at the heart of this effort, joining forces with various Delhi government departments on planning and operations. Their joint agreement will make sure cruise tourism along the NW-110 corridor is safe, comfortable, and sustainable. The cruise corridor is intended as a hub for green mobility, with technology and amenities reflecting the country’s push for modern, sustainable infrastructure.
This project is one of several steps under the Harit Nauka initiative, which has already seen electric catamarans launched in cities like Varanasi and Ayodhya. IWAI is committed to expanding green mobility, even trialling hydrogen fuel-cell vessels to push India closer to its environmental goals. Sonowal notes, “What was long seen as an under-utilised asset is today revolutionising how India moves people and goods with speed, sustainability and efficiency.”
India’s national waterways have grown dramatically in recent years, with 32 active waterways and targets to reach 76 by 2027. Cargo movement has reached a record high, reflecting ambitious reforms like the National Waterways Act and the Inland Vessels Act. Across 23 states and four Union Territories, the waterways now span over 20,000km, promising easier trade, stronger connectivity, and cleaner travel for millions.
