Yamuna Cruise In 4 Months? Rekha Gupta Government's Ambitious Project In Delhi

Yamuna Cruise News: The Delhi government has assured continuous Yamuna cleaning efforts to depollute the river.

A Yamuna Cruise service is likely to begin soon.

Source : PTI

Delhi News: Delhi residents may soon be able to cruise on the Yamuna. The river, which is considered "dead" in the national capital, could see the change — thanks to a Memorandum of Understanding.  

The key MoU was signed on Tuesday, March 11, to launch a cruise service on the Yamuna. The Delhi government has claimed that within four months, Delhi residents will be able to enjoy cruises on the Yamuna.

#WATCH | Delhi CM Rekha Gupta attended the 'Holi Milan Samaroh' at Shalimar Bagh Club Society. (11.03)

She said, "Today we have signed an MoU, soon a 'small ferry' cruise will start in River Yamuna. It will start in 3-4 months..." pic.twitter.com/fbql1c0g2J

— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2025

Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, said, "Concrete steps are being taken to clean and purify the Yamuna. It is not just a river; Yamuna is our cultural heritage. Protecting it is everyone's responsibility."

Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), the nodal agency of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) for National Waterways, signed the MoU with multiple agencies of the Delhi government.

Work 'Stalled' Due To Political Reasons?

The Yamuna River stretch from Jagatpur in Delhi to its confluence with the Ganges at Prayagraj, spanning 1,089 km across Delhi, Haryana, and UP, was declared National Waterway-110 in 2014

The signing of the MoU sparked political rhetoric as well. L-G VK Saxena, targeting the previous Aam Aadmi Party government, said, "Work on this project has been underway for the past year, but it was stalled due to political reasons. Now, the people of Delhi have brought about change and also expressed their sentiments towards the Yamuna. This is just the beginning; more new schemes will be introduced in the coming days."

'A New Chapter For Delhi Begins'

Meanwhile, Delhi's Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena for the initiative. She said, "Delhi is now seeing the benefits of a double-engine government. The previous government tried to slow down the pace of development, but now a new chapter has begun for Delhi."

#WATCH | On MoU to start ferry services on river Yamuna, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta says, "It is a big step for the development of Delhi. Today, we have signed an MoU with the Central Government for a ferry service on Yamuna. This will be a new area of tourism in Delhi. You will see… pic.twitter.com/qPgEVIhj4C

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2025

Delhi government ministers Pravesh Verma and Kapil Mishra also described this scheme as a major tourist attraction for Delhi. Kapil Mishra said, "In six months, Delhi residents will be travelling on cruises. Soon, grand aartis will also be performed on the banks of the Yamuna."

'Campaign To Clean Yamuna Will Intensify'

The government has assured that the work of cleaning the Yamuna will be done on a war footing.  The MoU aims to develop and boost cruise tourism on a four-kilometre stretch on River Yamuna (National Waterway 110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board, Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation for this project. 

New Facilities On Yamuna And Traffic Management

Among the planned facilities are berthing jetties, non-polluting solar/electric boats, ticket booths, charging points, cafeterias, waiting areas, and other public amenities.

This historic agreement was reached on Tuesday (11 March) at Asita Park, New Delhi. This project will not only promote inland water transport in Delhi but will also improve tourism and traffic management.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and ministers Pravesh Verma and Kapil Mishra, along with senior officials of the departments concerned, were present at the signing of the MoU.

Why The Yamuna Cruise Project Is Important 

The Yamuna is considered the lifeline of Delhi, but due to the increasing amount of effluent being dumped and other human activities over the past several decades, the river has become extremely polluted.

With the launch of the cruise service, the government hopes that it will accelerate the cleaning of the Yamuna and the development of waterways.