18 March,2026 03:23 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
High-spec boats to aid Yamuna river surveys. File Pic
The Delhi government's Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department has issued a tender to procure two boats for monitoring, survey, and inspection operations on the Yamuna river, officials said, the IANS reported.
The move comes as the department seeks dedicated vessels to assist in river monitoring, flood management, and inspection visits by senior officials.
The tender, floated on March 12, seeks two boats at an estimated combined cost of around Rs 6.2 crore, with each vessel priced at approximately Rs 3.1 crore.
The procurement is expected to be completed within five months after the bidding process concludes, which is slated for March 19.
Each boat will be designed to accommodate 16 to 20 persons and will measure about 13 metres in length, 4.3 metres in width, and 2.1 metres in height. The vessels will feature enclosed cabins equipped with air-conditioning and seating for officials.
The interiors of the boats are planned with comfort and functionality in mind. Each cabin will have customised business-class push-back seats made of vegan leather, integrated hand rests with wooden finishes, bottle holders, and ambient LED lighting. Facilities will also include a pantry for serving food, washrooms, and a fresh water storage capacity of around 400 litres, according to the IANS.
The boats will also feature an open rear deck with sofa-type seating for three to four persons, enabling senior officials to interact with the public during inspection visits and river surveys.
The vessels will be powered by 300-horsepower four-stroke engines and will carry fuel tanks with a capacity of 700 to 1,000 litres. Each boat will have a displacement of roughly 12 tonnes at full load and will be capable of reaching speeds up to 25 knots.
Safety and operational equipment will include tracking devices, very high frequency (VHF) radio signal stations, fire pumps, emergency medical equipment, and depth sounders capable of measuring water depth up to 500 metres. The supplying agency will also provide maintenance and spare parts for two years, the news agency reported.
Officials said the boats are intended for multiple functions: monitoring river conditions, conducting surveys, facilitating inspection visits, and supporting flood monitoring and rescue operations during the monsoon season. They will also assist during major river festivals such as 'Chhath Pooja', as per the IANS.
Currently, the I and FC department relies on hired boats for bathy-metric surveys, rescue operations, monsoon monitoring, and official inspections, as noted in the department's annual report released last month. The new vessels are expected to provide dedicated support for these tasks and improve operational efficiency.
In addition to the monitoring boats, the Delhi government has procured a 40-seater vessel for a proposed recreational cruise service on the Yamuna, covering the route between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. The project aims to introduce ferry services and recreational cruises, though its launch has been delayed.
(With IANS Inputs)
