The ambitious Yamuna Riverfront project is set to be completed by June 30 next year, according to the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). This initiative is a key component of their floodplain restoration efforts. Additionally, officials have announced that Phase 1 of the cycle track, which will connect various floodplain projects, is expected to be finished by October 31 of this year.
Restoring the Yamuna River and its floodplains was a significant campaign issue during Delhi’s recent elections. The BJP criticized the prior AAP government for its inability to clean the river despite spending vast sums. In their manifesto, they promised to clean the river and create a riverfront modeled after Gujarat’s Sabarmati riverfront.
In the past two months, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have held separate discussions focused on the river’s cleanup. The Indian Express previously reported that the riverfront will be developed on a 200-meter stretch at the site of the former Millennium Park Bus Depot near Sarai Kale Khan.
Spanning 25 hectares, the project will feature a central plaza, a topiary park, a shopping center inspired by Sunder Nursery, two parking facilities, and a riverside promenade. The plaza is intended to host cultural events and will include seating, fountains, statues, and gardens.
This riverfront project is part of the DDA’s broader plan to redevelop a 22-kilometer stretch of the river between Wazirabad and Okhla barrage. The restoration and rejuvenation plan is divided into 11 contiguous projects. Of these, five, such as Asita East and Kalindi Aviral, have already been completed, while the remaining projects are at various development stages.
The proposed cycle link aims to interconnect all existing floodplain projects with a 21-kilometer bike path along the western bank and a 30-kilometer path along the eastern bank. Officials indicated that this cycle track will be designed as a green mobility corridor on both sides of the river. However, further details on how much of the project will be included in Phase 1 remain forthcoming.
Senior officials have acknowledged the complexity of linking all 11 projects via walkways and cycle tracks. “The projects are contiguous. The ultimate plan is to link all of them, but it is very challenging due to encroachments and potential conflicts with existing projects,” an official noted.
Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh discussed the linking of the floodplain projects in a meeting with DDA officials in May. The cycle track is expected to utilize jute carpeting, which the DDA recently announced will be the standard for all cycling tracks and pathways in Yamuna projects to aid in dust mitigation and soil preservation.
Original Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-to-get-its-riverfront-along-yamuna-by-june-30-next-year-10042809/
Category: Cities,Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-06-02 05:15:00
