This iconic tourist landmark in Delhi is attracting more visitors thanks to its boating service

Delhi’s Purana Qila, one of the capital’s most prominent historical landmarks, has witnessed a significant increase in visitors following the launch of boating services. Officials have noted that the recent temporary closure of the Delhi Zoo has contributed to the surge in footfalls at the fort. The boating service, first trialled earlier this year, was inaugurated on September 1.

Since then, about 3,000 visitors are coming to Purana Qila on weekends. “Earlier, the fort used to see around 500-600 visitors in a week, but since the boating facility was launched, the numbers have increased to over 2,000 during the week. On Saturdays, the crowd has reached as high as 3000, compared to the earlier weekend figures of 1,500-2,000,” an official was quoted as saying by PTI.

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The initiative materialised after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sabhyata Foundation, which is managing the project. The trial phase continued throughout August before it was launched. Ajay Verma, CEO of the Sabhyata Foundation, said, “Twenty boats — 10 with four seats and 10 with three seats — have been made available to visitors. The entry point for boating is from Talaki Darwaza, and the water body, once a protective moat, now stretches around 640 metres.” He added that fares for a 20-minute ride range from ₹125 to ₹150 per person, with services running from 8 am to 7 pm during summer (April to September) and until 6 pm during the winter months (October to March).

Purana Qila, often associated with the ancient city of Indraprastha described in the Mahabharata, was built in the 16th century by Sher Shah Suri and originally named “Shergarh”. It was later occupied by the Mughals, who left their mark on the fort. Today, its towering red sandstone walls and Indo-Islamic architecture continue to captivate visitors.

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The site houses the Archaeological Museum, which displays an extensive collection of artefacts from the Gupta, Shunga, Sultanate and Mughal periods. A highlight of the collection is a baked clay elephant sculpture from the Mughal era.

The fort’s artificial lake, dating back to the reigns of Sher Shah Suri and Humayun is something that many tourists enjoy soaking the architecture, while the boating service is something that is attracting more tourists, officials said.