Yamuna Water Taxi project to ferry tourists to gain momentum

NEW DELHI: The ambitious Yamuna Water Taxi project to ferry tourists from Wazirabad to Fatehpur Jat in the national capital covering a 16 km distance may gain momentum soon as government is evaluating five bids for operating the service.

The project, which is one of the priority projects of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, may shorten the travel time between Wazirabad to Fatehpur Jat from 3.5 hours to 45 minutes.

"Expression of interest were issued for operators to run vessels on Yamuna and five bids were received which are under evaluation," an official told PTI.

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) which has been mandated to implement the ambitious project has sought clearance from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for the project in view of the ban imposed on construction activities and the hearing in the case is scheduled on October 19, the official said.

Detailed project report for the 16 km Yamuna Taxi Project for operating tourist vessels / ferry services on Yamuna River from Wazirabad to Fatehpur Jat stretch was prepared by Kitco in September this year.

Accordingly, tenders were issued for design and construction of three passenger vessels, construction of floating jetties at terminal points and dredging and provision of navigational aids for fairway development, the official added.

The due date for tenders is October 24.

Meanwhile, letter has been issued to the Delhi government for signing of memorandum of understanding for state support agreement.

Last week, IWAI Chairman Amitabh Verma said the IWAI is looking at Yamuna very closely and have worked out and surveyed about 16 km stretch.

"I believe by December you would see construction and dredging activities... We have filed application with NGT to get permission from them," he said.