After nearly a decade of stillness, the historical backwaters of Yamuna adorning Delhi’s Purana Qila are once again rippling with activity. In a step to boost tourism and surge engagement, boating has officially returned to one of the capital’s oldest monuments, marking a significant revival of a heritage-linked recreational experience. The initiative, relaunched with an alliance of the Sabhyata Foundation and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), brings back paddle boats to the moat that wraps around the fort—a spot long steeped deep into the identity of Delhi and cherished by families, tourists, and history lovers alike.
It was in 1991 that boating was initially introduced at Purana Qila, rendering guests a restorative trip around the ancient fort walls. However, the service was suspended in 2016 due to the lapse of a formal agreement between the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) and the ASI. Following the halt, the moat dried up due to lack of upkeep and pumping. Although attempts were undertaken in 2018 to refill the water levels, genuine boating activity did not resume—until now.
In June 2025, trial runs for boating resumed at the site, beginning with a small fleet of four paddle boats, available in two and four-seater options. The 20-minute rides start near Talaqi Darwaza and operate between 9 am and 6 pm. The ticket price ranges from INR 125 to INR 150 per person, with life jackets provided to all riders. Safety measures are also in place, including lifeguards, trained boating staff, and onboard insurance. A total of 20 boats are expected to be added to the fleet by September, once the full-scale operations begin.
Commenting on this development, Amit Pasricha, a renowned photographer and the founder of Indian Lost and Found, noted that such recreational additions can draw people who might not otherwise engage with heritage: “A boat is going to attract a bunch of people that would otherwise not go for a heritage walk. And they will get a little sensitised to what we consider monumental spaces—holistic environments.”
Leading the boating revival is the Sabhyata Foundation, which is responsible for maintaining the monument in accordance with the ASI's "Adopt a Heritage" guidelines. In addition to overseeing the water activities, the Foundation has upgraded guest amenities. These include proposals for a café with a view of the lake, a new ticket desk, hygienic restrooms, and waiting places with shade. To further guarantee visitor safety, especially on weekends and during peak hours, National Disaster Response Force-trained personnel are stationed at the location.
Pasricha added that while “partnerships are the way forward,” they must be monitored carefully to ensure the space doesn't descend into unchecked commercialism: “The challenge is that it doesn’t start contradicting the look and feel of the monument. Aesthetic and environmental considerations must be core.”
Trial runs that began on June 30, 2025 involved 73 people participating on the first day. Most visitors responded positively, citing the scenic value and relaxing experience in addition to the newness of water-related activities that are sparse in the capital around heritage sites. On the other hand, officials have stressed that these trial rides are being used to collect feedback, which will be incorporated into the final operational model expected to launch fully on 1 September.
More than merely a recreational boost, the restoration of boating to Purana Qila allows Delhiites to rediscover a more serene and picturesque aspect of the city's Mughal heritage. Originally serving as a military boundary for the fort constructed by Sher Shah Suri and subsequently altered by Humayun, the moat was nourished by groundwater recharge and associated pipelines. It turns the fort into a calm cultural area in the bustling capital today. Purana Qila is presently Delhi's only central water-based recreation area, following the 2010 termination of boating activities at India Gate's Children's Park.
As Pasricha succinctly put it, “We can’t keep monuments just as places to look at. We’ve got to begin to include them in the human experience—through healthy, meaningful recreation.”
Despite the widespread acceptance for the revival, there have been some delays in the process. Due to problems owing to boats that were too small and unfinished infrastructure, the initial relaunch deadlines were compromised. The boats that were ultimately purchased from a different manufacturer satisfied safety requirements, and any outstanding work, including parking and access upgrades, should be finished by the middle of July.
Early September 2025 is the time slated for the complete reopening. Improvements to the venue in the upcoming months will attract tailored cultural events close to the lake, floating kiosks in the winter, and evening illumination around the water. As a step to make the boating experience more sustainable and inclusive for everyone, a particular focus will be fixed on preserving environmental cleanliness, safety, and accessibility.
Pasricha largely believes that introducing curated recreational elements like boating can help sensitise a wider audience to heritage. “This becomes a case study upon which others can be opened up—figuring out how to integrate people into healthy entertainment around a place so they begin to build a relationship with heritage.” He also cautions that such initiatives must be handled with care: “If aesthetics are compromised or the site gets overcrowded, it can damage the very value it aims to highlight.”
For Pasricha, the real win lies in bridging public engagement and cultural conservation: “The more public eye a monument has, the more attention it gets for its upkeep.”
(With inputs from various sources.)
