The launch of Delhi’s first recreational cruise service on the Yamuna marks a significant step in developing the waterway for tourism and recreational navigation.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has said the launch of Delhi’s first recreational cruise service on the Yamuna reflects India’s broader effort to position waterways as engines of economic activity, tourism and sustainable mobility.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch in New Delhi on Tuesday, Sonowal said, “The launch of Delhi’s first recreational cruise service on the Yamuna is another step towards reconnecting people with our rivers and unlocking their immense potential. This launch signals a new wave of river tourism in the city. We are transforming waterways into avenues for tourism, trade and livelihoods while advancing our commitment to cleaner and more efficient mobility.”
The service was inaugurated in the presence of Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Sonia Vihar. The initiative aims to unlock the tourism and recreational potential of the Yamuna while offering residents and visitors a new way to experience the national capital.
The project features a 30-seater electric cruise vessel operating on a nearly 6-km round-trip route. The use of electric-powered vessels highlights the potential of inland waterways as a clean and sustainable mobility solution.
The initiative is part of India’s wider inland waterways expansion. Per the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways data, cargo movement on national waterways has increased from 18 million metric tonnes in 2013-14 to 218 million metric tonnes in 2025-26. With freight transportation costs estimated at ₹1.06 per tonne-km on waterways, compared with ₹1.41 by rail and ₹2.28 by road, inland navigation offers a more cost-effective mode for cargo movement.
River cruise tourism has emerged as another growth area. The number of overnight river cruise vessels has increased from five in 2013-14 to 26 in 2025-26.
The Yamuna was designated as National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. The launch marks a significant step towards developing the waterway for recreational navigation and river-based tourism in Delhi.
Riverfront Tourism Push
Chief Minister Gupta said the project would add a new dimension to Delhi’s tourism landscape while encouraging stronger public engagement with the Yamuna.
“The Yamuna is an integral part of Delhi’s history, culture and identity. This recreational cruise service will offer residents and visitors a new way to experience the river while creating fresh opportunities for tourism and local economic activity.”
She added that the Delhi Government is committed to developing the riverfront into an attractive public destination with improved amenities, sustainable infrastructure and experiences that celebrate the city’s heritage.
Conceived as a broader eco-tourism destination, the project includes a range of visitor amenities and recreational attractions. A musical fountain featuring synchronised light and sound presentations on the history and cultural significance of the Yamuna forms one of its key attractions.
The destination also includes a food court, shopping area, children’s play zone and adventure facilities such as skating and rock climbing. Floating jetties, dedicated ticketing facilities, online booking systems, waiting areas, restrooms and illuminated access pathways have been incorporated to enhance the visitor experience.
The Recreational Yamuna River Cruise Service has been developed by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corp. (DTTDC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi Government.