In an effort to enhance tourism and encourage eco-friendly water transport, the Delhi government plans to introduce a ferry and cruise service along a 7-8 km segment of the Yamuna River.
This new service will operate between Wazirabad Barrage (Sonia Vihar) and Jagatpur (Shani Temple) within the city. The Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) has released a request for proposals (RFP) to secure an operator for two solar-powered cruise vessels. Interested parties must submit their pre-qualification, technical, and financial proposals by the designated deadline. According to the RFP issued by DTTDC, proposals are sought for the operation of cruise and ferry services along the specified section of the Yamuna River, which is designated as National Waterway – 110. The service will be permitted to operate for 270 days within a year, having received the necessary no-objection certificates from the Delhi Jal Board and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
The RFP from DTTDC outlines that it’s open to capable agencies. Bidders are required to submit their proposals in separate sealed envelopes, encompassing pre-qualification, technical, and financial details. Proposals will be evaluated according to specific criteria outlined in the RFP, and the bidder offering the highest revenue share to DTTDC will be awarded the contract. The selection process involves a two-stage bidding system, beginning with pre-qualification, followed by the submission of detailed technical and financial proposals from shortlisted candidates. The operator will be chosen based on the highest revenue share offer made.
Proposals must be submitted by the specified deadline mentioned in the RFP document. The submission process includes the requirement of an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹5,00,000 in the form of a Demand Draft made out to DTTDC. Technical bids must detail all aspects except for pricing information, which should only be included in the financial bid. This initiative aims to improve transportation options along the Yamuna River, foster sustainable water transport, and stimulate tourism in the area.
Moreover, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva remarked that the Delhi government has established five targets for a three-year timeline. “We will achieve this ahead of schedule; the cruise will operate on the water, and we will develop the Yamuna waterfront,” he stated. The BJP recently celebrated a significant win in the Delhi assembly elections, marking their return to power after a 27-year absence.
