Work Boat makes maiden voyage from Signature Bridge to ITO Barrage

The ongoing efforts of Delhi Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena towards the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River received a significant boost on Saturday. In a groundbreaking development, the Indian Navy successfully conducted a Navigability Assessment of the Yamuna River in Delhi, using a Work Boat that had recently been brought from Kochi. The boat made its maiden voyage from the Signature Bridge to the ITO Barrage, covering a distance of 11 kilometers. Previous attempts to conduct such trials were hindered by various challenges associated with the Yamuna, including insufficient depth, floating debris, and unhygienic bank conditions. However, under the initiative of the L-G, who also serves as the Chairman of the National Green Tribunal (NGT)-appointed HLC, a naval Work Boat was brought to Delhi to facilitate this assessment.

The L-G has been an advocate for citizen participation in the cleaning of the Yamuna and has implemented several initiatives to bring the residents of Delhi closer to the river.

The concept of utilising the Yamuna as a mode of transportation, with boats plying in limited stretches, was envisioned as part of these efforts.

After successfully completing the physical cleaning of the river and its floodplains between the Signature Bridge and ITO Barrage, and conducting a personal inspection, the L-G decided to undertake this venture by officially requisitioning a Navy Boat.

The Navy Work Boat, measuring 11 meters in length with a draft of 1.7 meters, a displacement of approximately 12 tons, and a cruising speed of 14 knots, was transported by road from Kochi on June 3  and docked at the Signature Bridge Jetty. A specialized naval team from Karwar and Dehradun conducted a detailed hydrographic survey, revealing certain sections of the river where the depth fell below the required 1.7 meters.

To address this, locally-available amphibious desilting equipment was deployed to desilt the identified patches, creating a channel approximately 30 meters wide by June 20.