New Delhi: In a major step towards boosting eco-friendly cruise tourism in the national capital, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with multiple agencies of the Delhi government, including the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC).
The MoU, signed at Asita Park, aims to develop a four-kilometer cruise tourism stretch on the Yamuna (National Waterway 110) between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. The initiative will introduce sustainable and non-polluting river cruises in the heart of Delhi, transforming the city’s waterways into a hub for green tourism and short-distance navigation.
The signing ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Vinai Kumar Saxena, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State (MoPSW) Shantanu Thakur, and senior officials including MoPSW Secretary T.K. Ramachandran and IWAI Chairman Vijay Kumar.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the initiative as a historic step in the revival of India’s inland waterways, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for sustainable water transport.
“For years, the people of Delhi have watched the Yamuna suffer from pollution and neglect. Today marks the beginning of a long-overdue transformation. With these eco-friendly river cruises, Delhiites and tourists will rediscover the Yamuna’s beauty like never before,” Sonowal said.
To ensure sustainable and pollution-free transport, the project will deploy electric-solar hybrid boats, each carrying 20-30 passengers. These boats will be equipped with bio-toilets, public announcement systems, and life jackets for passenger safety. Additionally, two HDPE jetties will be installed by IWAI to support smooth ferry operations.
The Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna, located upstream of the Wazirabad Barrage, is part of National Waterway 110 (NW-110), which extends 1,089 km from Delhi to its confluence with the Ganga at Prayagraj. Declared a National Waterway in 2014, NW-110 is now set to become a key route for inland water transport (IWT) and green tourism.
Beyond creating a new tourism experience, the initiative is expected to enhance connectivity, generate employment, and promote local businesses, further integrating Delhi’s urban transport network with sustainable water transport.
Under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership, IWAI has been spearheading major infrastructural advancements to develop waterways as a growth engine for transport and tourism. The agency is currently enhancing National Waterways 1, 2, 3, and 16 with new IWT terminals, night navigation aids, and locks across India.
The Harit Nauka Guidelines have already introduced electric catamarans in Varanasi and Ayodhya, with six more set to launch in Mathura and Guwahati. By investing in cruise terminals and tourism projects on the Ganga and Brahmaputra, IWAI is unlocking the potential of India’s river systems, offering eco-friendly, efficient, and scenic travel alternatives.
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