Delhi's first Yamuna river cruise sets sail on Tuesday, and it runs on electric power

Cruising on the Yamuna in Delhi? Starting Tuesday, that's a real thing. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the capital's first recreational river cruise service, according to an official statement.

What happened?

The cruise will run along the Sonia Vihar–Jagatpur stretch of the Yamuna. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will also attend the inauguration ceremony.

Trial runs of the vessel were successfully carried out last month. Senior officials from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI, the central body that manages river transport) and the Delhi government were present.

The vessels are electric-powered. The statement says this shows how inland waterways can support clean, sustainable transport.

Who is behind it?

The service is being developed by IWAI, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. It is working with several Delhi bodies: the Delhi Development Authority (DDA, the city's land and planning agency), Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Delhi Jal Board (the city's water utility), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

Why does it matter?

The Yamuna was declared National Waterway-110 under the National Waterways Act, 2016. That law placed 111 waterways under central control. Now, one stretch of this river is being used for river-based tourism.

The government says the aim is to give Delhi residents and tourists a new experience and get people more engaged with the river. It also hopes to add a new attraction to the National Capital Region.

What's next?

The statement did not mention ticket prices or timings. Those details were not part of the announcement.