Delhi’s first recreational river cruise service, the ‘Namo Yamuna River Safari’, was launched on Tuesday, November 10, offering residents and tourists a new way to experience the Yamuna.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the service at Sonia Vihar in the presence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Delhi Water Minister Parvesh Verma also took a jet ski ride on the Yamuna during the launch event.
The electric-powered cruise will operate along a six-kilometre stretch between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. The service aims to promote river-based tourism and develop the Yamuna as a recreational destination in the national capital.
A cruise ticket costs ₹500 per person. Visitors who wish to access the premises without taking the cruise will have to pay an entry fee of ₹50.
Speaking at the launch, Sonowal said the Delhi government was committed to cleaning the Yamuna and ensuring that its water became beneficial to people’s lives.
Gupta said the cruise would allow residents to experience the Yamuna in a new way and invited families to visit the attraction. She added that the initiative would help present a positive image of the national capital.
The Chief Minister also highlighted infrastructure development in Delhi, stating that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had undertaken projects worth more than ₹1.25 lakh crore in the national capital to ease traffic congestion.
Namo Yamuna River Safari: Route, ticket prices and ride duration
According to details shared by the government and reported by News18, the Namo Yamuna River Safari will cover approximately six kilometres between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, with each ride lasting around 40 minutes.
The electric-powered vessel can accommodate 30 passengers. It features an air-conditioned lower deck and an open upper deck, giving visitors two seating options.
The cruise is expected to operate daily from 9 am to 9 pm, with at least four trips planned each day. However, the service will remain closed during the monsoon season, from July 1 to September 30, because of seasonal river conditions.
The government is also planning to introduce a second 30-seater electric vessel by February-March 2027 to expand the service, News18 reported.
Musical fountain, food court and adventure activities at Yamuna riverfront
The cruise is part of a broader recreational development plan along the Yamuna riverfront. Facilities at the site include a musical fountain, a children’s play zone, shopping spaces, food outlets and adventure sports activities.
According to News18, proposed attractions also include skating and rock climbing, along with an evening light-and-sound presentation featuring stories associated with Lord Krishna and the Yamuna.
The boarding and disembarking facilities are located at Sonia Vihar, where a riverfront terminal with floating jetties has been developed.
The use of electric-powered vessels is aimed at promoting sustainable inland water transport while exploring the potential of waterways for recreational navigation and tourism, the official release said.
Delhi launches Namo Yamuna River Safari: Check route, ticket prices, timings and facilities
