NCRPB is currently working on the Yamuna Water Taxi Project, which seeks to improve water transport in the region while also offering a greener alternative to commuting in Delhi. The plan includes potential stops in Madanpur Khadar, Film City, Nizamuddin, and ITO, which could serve to alleviate traffic issues in the city.

Yamuna Water Taxi Project Developments

A meeting on the feasibility of the project was scheduled for February 14, where transport secretaries from NCR states convened. In the meeting, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) put forth the idea of commencing with 20-25 passenger boats for domestic water transport on the Yamuna river.

An IWAI representative has noted that the water level must be at least 1-1.2 meters for water services to operate. Additionally, the development of the Yamuna riverfront has to be done considering not just water transport, but also tourism and public recreational activities.

Feasibility Study and Hydrographic Survey

The IWAI has advised conducting a hydrographic survey and traffic study alongside the preliminary project so that the river’s capability of accommodating passenger boats can be evaluated. Their authority pointed out that numerous other feasibility studies and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on analogous watercourses have been done that could be useful.

The IWAI has started talks with the authorities in Delhi for the project, Meanwhile, the NCR Planning Board has now directed the submission of reports and DPRs in a fortnight. They have also shown readiness to support the project financially.

Government’s Push For Yamuna Rejuvenation

The water taxi project is in tandem with the commitment of the BJP government to restoring the Yamuna River, which was promised during the Assembly Elections of Delhi. The government, through the Ministry of Ports, Waterways and Shipping, has already issued an order for construction of two jetties on the Yamuna.

Insiders suggest that Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has had a profound discussion with Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on the matter. These conversations have considered the possibility of developing tourism jetties, thereby improving the water infrastructure in Delhi.

Problems and Issues

Yamuna’s development as a waterway for tourism and passenger traffic has been hindered by poor water quality and lack of sufficient navigational depth. For the project to succeed, proper river cleaning and dredging to improve the water quality and depth will have to be done.

Final Thoughts

The Yamuna Water Taxi Project has promised to go a long way in changing how people move within the city of Delhi. It will be a green option compared to road-based transportation. The collaboration amongst the NCR Planning Board, IWAI, as well as the government of Delhi for the feasibility study augurs well for the project being a flagship one for the region and for sustainable transport. Still, managing the environmental issues and having a navigable bar channel is essential for effective execution.