IWAI signs MoU Delhi government agencies to develop the Yamuna Boat tourism

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with several Delhi government agencies to develop the Yamuna Boat Tourism and Ferry Infrastructure Project. The partnership includes the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Jal Board, and the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation.

The initiative aims to introduce boat cruises and ferry services along a designated stretch of the Yamuna in the national capital. Senior officials—including Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, and Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra—recently reviewed the project’s progress.

Located upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, the project will cover a 6–7 km corridor on National Waterway 110, which runs from Jagatpur in Delhi to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. With an estimated investment of ₹20 crore, the plan envisions leisure cruises and ferry services designed to enhance mobility and boost tourism along the river.

As part of the infrastructure build-out, two floating jetties with a capacity of 50 passengers each have already been set up at Sonia Vihar. The project will deploy electric–solar hybrid boats accommodating 30–40 passengers, alongside supporting facilities such as parking zones and recreational areas.

Minister Sonowal said the initiative embodies the government’s focus on developing sustainable, eco-friendly waterways. Once operational, the Yamuna cruise and ferry services are expected to enhance connectivity, promote river-based tourism, and create new recreational experiences for both residents and visitors in Delhi.