Delhi is set to introduce a new recreational attraction with the inauguration of an electric-powered cruise service along the Yamuna River on November 10, 2026, as part of efforts to promote river-based tourism and sustainable inland water transport in the national capital.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the service at Sonia Vihar in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sardar Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
The cruise will operate along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna, offering residents and tourists an opportunity to experience the river through recreational navigation.
The initiative aims to strengthen Delhi’s tourism infrastructure while encouraging greater public engagement with one of the city’s most significant waterways.
Senior government officials to attend inauguration
The launch ceremony will bring together senior representatives from the central and Delhi governments.
Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur and Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra are scheduled to attend.
Delhi Public Works and Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh, Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra and Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari will also participate in the event.
The inauguration marks a collaborative effort between multiple government agencies to develop the Yamuna’s potential as a recreational and tourism destination.
Yamuna designated as National Waterway-110
The Yamuna River was designated National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016, providing a framework for developing inland navigation and water-based transport infrastructure.
The recreational cruise service represents a step toward utilizing the designated waterway for tourism activities in Delhi.
Ahead of the official launch, trial runs of the cruise vessel were successfully conducted in October in the presence of senior officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Delhi government.
The trials were undertaken to assess operational readiness before the service’s introduction.
Electric vessels to promote sustainable tourism
The cruise service will use electric-powered vessels, reflecting the government’s emphasis on environmentally sustainable transport and tourism infrastructure.
Electric propulsion is intended to reduce operational emissions compared with conventional fuel-powered vessels while demonstrating the potential of cleaner technologies for inland navigation.
The initiative is expected to provide a new leisure experience for visitors while supporting the development of sustainable tourism opportunities along the Yamuna.
Officials also hope the project will encourage greater public awareness of the river and its potential role in Delhi’s urban development.
Multiple agencies collaborate on river tourism project
The project is being spearheaded by the Inland Waterways Authority of India under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
It is being developed in collaboration with the Delhi Development Authority, Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation, Delhi Jal Board and the Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
The partnership brings together agencies responsible for waterways, tourism, urban development and water management to support the service’s implementation.
The launch of the Yamuna River cruise is expected to expand Delhi’s recreational offerings and demonstrate how inland waterways can be integrated into urban tourism initiatives.
The project also forms part of broader efforts to develop India’s national waterways for transportation, tourism and sustainable economic activity.
