Delhi Yamuna Recreational Cruise Service Inauguration
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated Delhi's first recreational river cruise service along the Yamuna river on November 10, 2026. The inauguration ceremony took place at Sonia Vihar in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Also present were Shantanu Thakur (Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Harsh Malhotra (Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways), Delhi Government ministers Parvesh Sahib Singh (Public Works Department and Irrigation and Flood Control) and Kapil Mishra (Tourism Minister), and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, along with senior officials from both Central and Delhi Governments.
The recreational cruise service operates along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna river, which has been designated as National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. The initiative represents a significant step in harnessing this National Waterway for recreational navigation and river-based tourism. Trial runs of the cruise vessel were successfully conducted in October 2026 in the presence of senior officials from IWAI and the Delhi Government.
Project Development and Collaboration
The project is spearheaded by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. The development involves collaboration with multiple Delhi government agencies including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department of the Delhi Government.
Operational and Environmental Features
The service uses electric-powered cruise vessels, demonstrating the potential of inland waterways in promoting clean and sustainable mobility. The initiative aims to offer Delhi residents and tourists a unique recreational experience while fostering greater public engagement with the Yamuna river. The project reflects IWAI's commitment to promoting sustainable inland water transport and developing waterways as an integral component of urban mobility and tourism infrastructure in the National Capital Region.