Delhi Launches Eco-Friendly Yamuna River Cruise 2025

Delhi is poised to launch a sustainable river cruise on the Yamuna River in December 2025, featuring electric-solar hybrid boats between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. This green tourism initiative opens new opportunities for travel-agent partnerships, corporate incentive travel and eco-friendly experiences.

Delhi’s Yamuna Cruise: A New Sustainable Tourism Product for B2B Travel & Aviation

Introduction

The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and its partner agencies are preparing to launch an eco-friendly river cruise service along the Yamuna River in India’s capital city. Slated for December 2025, this initiative presents a fresh value-added product for travel agents, consolidators, corporate planners and airline partners seeking unique differentiation in the inbound and domestic market. According to recent coverage, the cruise will operate on a 4-7 km stretch from Sonia Vihar to Jagatpur and will utilise electric-solar hybrid vessels.

Why It Matters for B2B Travel Stakeholders

1. Differentiated Product Offering

For travel agents and corporate travel planners, this cruise provides a distinctive add-on within Delhi’s tourism portfolio. Rather than the typical heritage walk or museum visit, the river cruise offers an immersive, green-mobility experience that can appeal to both domestic and international groups, incentives and leisure segments.

2. Sustainable Travel Messaging

With increasing demand for sustainable travel and environmentally conscious experiences, the use of electric-solar hybrid boats and bio-toilets aligns well with corporate ESG programmes and travel-buyer preferences. It also positions Delhi tourism as forward-looking and green-certified.

3. Connectivity with Aviation & Corporate Travel

Airlines, airport-based consolidators and corporate travel buyers can leverage this new attraction as part of their Delhi/Gateway product mix. For example: premium passengers, loyalty members or corporate clients flying into Delhi can be offered this cruise as a post-arrival leisure option, enhancing passenger experience and generating ancillary revenue.

4. New Revenue Streams & Partnerships

Travel agents and consolidators can create dedicated packages (e.g., “Delhi Riverfront Experience”) combining this cruise with other Delhi attractions, hotel stays and transfers. Corporate incentives can include the cruise as part of the reward itinerary. Because this is a new product, early-entry travel suppliers may benefit from favourable pricing and positioning.

Key Project Details & Insights for Travel Professionals

Route, Vessels & Features

• The cruise will operate on a 4-7 km stretch between Sonia Vihar (near Wazirabad Barrage) and Jagatpur (near the Shani Mandir) in North East Delhi.

• Electric-solar hybrid vessels will be deployed; for example, the MoU signed by Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) with Delhi Government envisages boats carrying 20-30 passengers, bio-toilets, life-jackets, PA systems and zero waste discharge.

• One article reports a capacity of up to 90 passengers for initial vessels.

• The service is expected to run roughly 270 days a year, excluding monsoon periods, subject to water-levels and weather conditions.

• Boarding/de-boarding will be at Sonia Vihar, with jetties being developed by IWAI.
  
  

Infrastructure & Partnerships

• The project is backed by an MoU signed in March 2025 among IWAI, DDA (Delhi Development Authority), DJB (Delhi Jal Board), DTTDC and other agencies.

• On-shore facilities, ticketing, last-mile connectivity and jetties are under development.

• The initiative aligns with the national water-way designation: the Yamuna stretch is part of National Waterway 110 declared in 2014.

Timeline & Pricing

• Target launch: December 2025 (with some sources indicating late November).)

• Ticket-pricing is yet to be finalised, but the government emphasises affordability for middle-class segments.

• Initially 1-2 vessels will operate; fleet expansion may follow based on demand.
  
  

Implications & Recommended Actions for Travel Business

For Travel Agents & Consolidators

• Develop product modules: Create “river-cruise add-ons” for Delhi FITs (Free Independent Travellers), group travel and incentive programmes.

• Position sustainability: Use the eco-friendly angle as a key selling proposition. Corporate travel clients increasingly look for green credentials and new experiences.

• Build alliances: Liaise with local operators, DTTDC, and shore-side facilities to secure bulk-tickets, charter bookings, and preferential boarding.

• Market early: This is a new product – capturing early demand from domestic incentive groups, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions) and aviation-based packs (e.g., premium airline passengers) could yield first-mover advantages.
  
  

For Corporate Travel & Airline Customers

• Incentive programmes: Corporate buyers can include the cruise in reward itineraries for employees or partners, emphasising novelty, sustainability and experience.

• Add-value for airlines: Airlines can partner with ground-experience providers – offering the river cruise as a complimentary or discounted benefit for premium/loyalty passengers when landing in Delhi.

• Sustainability branding: Using this product supports corporate ESG messaging – clients can claim experiences beyond “just another city visit”.
  
  

Operational Considerations

• Ensure timing and weather-contingency: As the service will not operate in monsoon season and depends on river-levels, confirm availability prior to packaging.

• Confirm ticketing and group-booking terms: Since pricing is not yet finalised, negotiation is key for B2B buyers.

• Plan for transport & access logistics: The starting jetties and connectivity from airports/hotels need to be integrated into the overall package.

• Evaluate alternative itineraries: Position this cruise alongside heritage, cultural, and nature-based offerings in Delhi to enhance value and length of stay.
  
  

Key Takeaway for B2B Travel & Aviation Professionals

The upcoming launch of the Yamuna River cruise in Delhi marks a strategic opportunity for travel agents, consolidators, corporate travel planners and airlines to enrich their product portfolio with a new, sustainable experience. With its eco-friendly propulsion, refreshed river-front access and appeal to evolving traveler preferences, this cruise can serve as a differentiator in a competitive marketplace. Early engagement, product-design alignment and strategic partnerships will help stakeholders capitalise on this launch.

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