New Delhi [India], November 18 (ANI): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal, Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra reviewed the progress of the Yamuna Boat tourism and Ferry Infrastructure Development Project, which goals to introduce leisure boat cruises and ferry providers on the River Yamuna for residents and guests within the nationwide capital.
The mission, positioned upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, is anticipated to supply a brand new inexperienced tourism expertise and improve connectivity by way of eco-friendly river journey. The initiative is being developed at an estimated value of Rs 20 crore.
The River Yamuna, notified as National Waterway 110 (NW-110), stretches 1,080 kilometres from Delhi’s Jagatpur to Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. As a part of efforts to advertise inland water transport and short-distance city tourism, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) is growing amenities alongside a 6-7 km round-trip hall between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur.
After reviewing the on-ground progress, Sonowal mentioned the initiative displays the federal government’s dedication to sustainable and fashionable waterways.
‘Under the dynamic management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s waterways have witnessed a transformational revival after a long time of neglect. Eco-friendly cruise tourism on the Yamuna is a serious milestone, paving the way in which for cleaner, greener and extra environment friendly water transport that can increase connectivity and tourism within the coronary heart of Delhi,’ mentioned Sarbananda Sonowal.
To assist implementation, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed an MoU with key departments of the Delhi Government, together with Irrigation and Flood Control, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC). The settlement focuses on growing cruise tourism alongside a four-kilometre stretch of NW-110.
The hall will operate as a hub for eco-friendly cruise operations, powered by electric-solar hybrid boats that may accommodate 30 to 40 passengers. The vessels will characteristic security gear, together with life jackets and public announcement methods. IWAI has already put in two floating jetties with a capability of fifty passengers every at Sonia Vihar. Additional on-shore facilities corresponding to parking, primary amenities, and leisure areas are deliberate.
The mission is anticipated to revitalise leisure actions, improve inexperienced mobility and reshape Delhi’s tourism panorama by providing new river-based experiences for residents and vacationers.
Speaking additional on the chances of the Yamuna as a conduit of commute main in the direction of ease of motion and financial progress, Sarbananda Sonowal additional mentioned, ‘The growth of inland water transport on the Yamuna opens an thrilling new chapter for Delhi. Beyond enabling cleaner modes of journey, this mission will improve the expertise of residents and vacationers alike by including a novel river-cruise dimension to the Capital’s tourism panorama. With eco-friendly boat providers and fashionable passenger amenities, Yamuna won’t solely emerge as a vibrant leisure hall but in addition as a dynamic water transport hyperlink that strengthens connectivity and financial alternatives within the coronary heart of the town.’
The Union Minister and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi had been additionally joined by Pravesh Sahib Singh, Minister for Public Works Department, Legislative Affairs, Irrigation & Flood Control, Water and Gurudwara Elections, Delhi Govt together with Kapil Mishra, Law & justice, Labour, Employment, Development, Art, Culture & Language, Tourism, Delhi Govt.
Senior officers from IWAI together with Sunil Kumar Singh, Chairman (I/C), IWAI and others from Delhi Government had been additionally current through the overview go to.
Across India, IWAI is strengthening nationwide waterways by growing terminals, bettering fairways, putting in evening navigation aids and upgrading lock methods. Under the Harit Nauka sustainability initiative, electrical catamarans have already been launched in Varanasi and Ayodhya, with further deployments deliberate for Patna & Guwahati.
IWAI just lately accomplished trials of India’s first indigenously constructed hydrogen fuel-cell powered vessel, advancing the nation’s inexperienced mobility targets.
Adding on the revitalisation of inland waterways within the nation, Sarbananda Sonowal mentioned, ‘Under the visionary management of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the inland waterways sector–once uncared for and missed for nearly six decades– has undergone a transformational turnaround since 2014. What was lengthy seen as an under-utilised asset is in the present day revolutionising how India strikes individuals and items with pace, sustainability and effectivity. The exceptional progress in cargo motion, infrastructure enlargement and inexperienced mobility options stands as a testomony to PM Modi ji’s resolve to unlock the huge potential of our rivers for nationwide progress.’
IWT sector has recorded an unprecedented rise in commerce and motion of products over the previous decade. The variety of operational nationwide waterways elevated by 767%, whereas the amount of cargo dealt with on nationwide waterways grew by 635%. The sector additionally noticed a 62% improve in multimodal terminals and a 233% rise in investments in nationwide waterways.
Major reforms–including the National Waterways Act, 2016, which declared 111 nationwide waterways, and the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, changing century-old legislation–have performed a key function in driving enlargement and modernisation.
Today, India’s 111 nationwide waterways span 20,187 kilometres throughout 23 states and 4 Union Territories. Thirty-two National Waterways are at the moment operational for transport and navigation. The variety of operational waterways is focused to succeed in 76 by 2027. Cargo motion on nationwide waterways reached an all-time excessive of 146 million tons between April 2024 and March 2025, marking the strongest efficiency so far. (ANI)