Govt to launch Yamuna riverfront project next week

Tribune News Service 

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The Delhi Government is geared to roll out the Yamuna riverfront development project with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) which owns the land authorising it to start work. 

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will make an official announcement regarding the eco-friendly project's first phase next week after the 'Yamuna Aarti' at the Sonia Vihar ghat on November 2. 

Speaking to reporters here, Water Minister Kapil Mishra said under the Yamuna riverfront development, a five-km-long stretch from upstream Wazirabad at Sonia Vihar will begin while adding that the work will be completely ecological with construction of temporary structures. 

Mishra said a budget of Rs 200 crore has been set aside for the project by the government. 

He said the government's detailed project report of the 'Yamuna Turnaround Plan' is awaiting a "financial consensus".

The minister said the CM will make a formal announcement next week during the Yamuna event which the government hopes will witness a participation of around 10,000 people. 

Further, Mishra added that wetlands, biodiversity zone along with facilities of rowing, canoeing and a modern akhara (traditional wrestling pit) will be developed at the Yamuna riverfront and all this will involve no concrete. The  structures will be made of bamboo and wood. The project's first phase will be completed in six months, he said. 

Further, he said Geeta ghat was in the process of being given a complete new look.