Delhi To Launch Cruise Services On Yamuna River From November

22 Jul 2025 CW Team

An eight-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna—from Wazirabad barrage (Sonia Vihar) to Jagatpur near the Shani temple—has been developed for cruise operations aimed at boosting tourism in the capital.

The project is a collaboration between five agencies: the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the service.

The DDA will allocate land for jetty construction, while the Irrigation and Flood Control Department will provide navigational aids and shore-based facilities, including charging infrastructure for the vessels.

“Delhi is fully geared for cruise service. The work has been awarded and a jetty is under construction. Services are expected to begin in November. Delhiites will soon be able to travel upstream from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur,” said Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra.

Each boat will feature inboard bio-toilets (zero discharge), a public announcement system, and life jackets for safety and comfort. The air-conditioned vessels—either leased or owned—must be no more than two years old. The operator will ensure at least four trips per day, maintaining safe and reliable service for passengers, crew, and other river users.

Earlier in March, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to introduce eco-friendly electric-solar hybrid boats as part of the government’s push for sustainable transport. Gupta also envisions Yamuna ghats transforming into vibrant cultural and artistic spaces similar to those in Varanasi, reaffirming a long-term commitment to river rejuvenation and infrastructure development.

Residents and tourists in Delhi will soon enjoy cruise rides along the Yamuna River, with services scheduled to operate between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur from November. This initiative forms part of the government’s wider efforts to rejuvenate the river and promote sustainable tourism, officials said.An eight-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna—from Wazirabad barrage (Sonia Vihar) to Jagatpur near the Shani temple—has been developed for cruise operations aimed at boosting tourism in the capital.The project is a collaboration between five agencies: the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which have signed a memorandum of understanding to launch the service.The DDA will allocate land for jetty construction, while the Irrigation and Flood Control Department will provide navigational aids and shore-based facilities, including charging infrastructure for the vessels.“Delhi is fully geared for cruise service. The work has been awarded and a jetty is under construction. Services are expected to begin in November. Delhiites will soon be able to travel upstream from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur,” said Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra.Each boat will feature inboard bio-toilets (zero discharge), a public announcement system, and life jackets for safety and comfort. The air-conditioned vessels—either leased or owned—must be no more than two years old. The operator will ensure at least four trips per day, maintaining safe and reliable service for passengers, crew, and other river users.Earlier in March, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced plans to introduce eco-friendly electric-solar hybrid boats as part of the government’s push for sustainable transport. Gupta also envisions Yamuna ghats transforming into vibrant cultural and artistic spaces similar to those in Varanasi, reaffirming a long-term commitment to river rejuvenation and infrastructure development.

Infrastructure Transport

09 Jan 2026

India Becomes First to Produce Bio-Bitumen for Roads

India has become the first country in the world to commercially produce bio-bitumen for use in road construction, according to Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. Bitumen, a black and viscous hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, is a key binding material in road building, and the bio-based alternative is expected to significantly improve the sector’s environmental footprint.Addressing the CSIR Technology Transfer Ceremony in New Delhi, Mr Gadkari congratulated Council of Scientific and Industrial Research on achieving the milestone, noting that the initiative would help curb ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

HILT Policy Seen Boosting Telangana Revenue Sharply

The Hyderabad Industrial Land Transformation (HILT) Policy is expected to generate around Rs 1.08 billion in revenue for the Telangana state exchequer, according to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu. Speaking in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, he said the policy would be implemented within a six-month timeframe in a transparent manner, with uniform rules applicable to all stakeholders. Mr Vikramarka noted that without the HILT Policy, the state would have earned only about Rs 1.2 million per acre. Under the new framework, however, revenue is projected to rise sharply to Rs 70 ..

Infrastructure Urban

09 Jan 2026

India Post, MoRD Tie Up to Boost Rural Inclusion

The Department of Posts and the Ministry of Rural Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to accelerate rural transformation and expand financial, digital and logistics services for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and rural households across India. The agreement was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia and Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The collaboration aligns with the government’s “Dak Sewa, Jan Sewa” vision and seeks to repositi..