On Friday, the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) released a Request for Quotation (RFQ) to select a suitable operator to run two solar or electric battery-powered cruise vessels along the designated river stretch.
Once developed, the project is expected to boost river-cruise tourism, offering an eco-friendly and sustainable water transport service. This will be achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Jal Board (DJB), DTTDC, and the irrigation and flood control department, the proposal stated.
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The DTTDC will appoint the operator responsible for the cruise services, which will operate a round trip of 7 to 8 kilometres, beginning and ending at Sonia Vihar. The project will be carried out by the IWAI and DDA, in partnership with the DJB, while the irrigation and flood control department will provide floating jetties, navigational aids, and charging infrastructure for the vessels, the document added.
The chosen operator will initially deploy two electric-solar hybrid boats to run the ferry service. These boats must accommodate 20-30 passengers and maintain a speed of 5-7 knots.
Additionally, the boats will be equipped with onboard bio-toilets (zero discharge), a public announcement system, and safety jackets.
The operator will be tasked with delivering a safe, dependable, and comfortable cruise service, ensuring the safety of passengers, crew members, and other river users.
The air-conditioned boats, which must either be owned or leased, should not be more than two years old. The operator is required to ensure at least four trips per day, the proposal concluded.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
