• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Delhi Purana Qila Boating: After a gap of nine years, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sabhyata Foundation have resumed boat rides around the historic walls of Delhi’s Purana Qila. Trial runs on the artificial lake have recently begun and will continue through August. According to PTI, the service is scheduled to be officially opened to the public on September 1.

ALSO READ: Delhi: NDMC To Transform Delhi’s Mandi House Area Into Art District By End Of 2025 | Details

Purana Qila Boating: Number Of Boats And Route 

Ajay Verma, CEO of the Sabhyata Foundation, said that a total of 20 boats will be available, 10 with four seats each and 10 with three seats. The boat rides will begin from Talaki Darwaza and cover a 640-metre stretch of water surrounding the fort, which once served as a protective moat.

Purana Qila Boating Ticket Price And Timings 

A 20-minute boat ride will cost between Rs 125 and Rs 150 per person. Boating will be available from 8 AM to 7 PM during the summer months (April to September), and until 6 PM in the winter (October to March).

Security guards will be present throughout the day to ensure visitor safety, and there are plans to open a small café nearby, offering refreshments to enhance the overall experience. This new boating initiative beautifully blends leisure with history, allowing visitors to peacefully explore one of Delhi’s oldest forts while connecting with the city’s rich heritage.

About Sabhyata Foundation

The non-profit Sabhyata Foundation played a crucial role in reviving the boating services. It serves as a ‘Monument Mitra’ under the government’s heritage adoption scheme for five iconic Delhi landmarks: Red Fort, Purana Qila, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Safdarjung Tomb, and Humayun’s Tomb.

According to the Indian Express report, Ajay Verma, CEO of Heritage and Events at the Sabhyata Foundation, shared that they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ASI on April 1, 2024, under which the foundation is operating as a ‘Smarak Sarthi’. Over the past four to five months, extensive preparations have been underway at Purana Qila to launch the boating services and supporting facilities. Significant efforts have been made to enhance the visitor experience, including the construction of a cafeteria, new toilets, and other amenities, the non-profit stated.

ALSO READ: Old Auto Markets Boom Outside NCR After Delhi Crackdown; Dealers From UP, Bihar, Southern States Rush To Buy EoL Vehicles 

“We have world-class tenders, life jackets in all sizes, and National Disaster Response Force-trained staff. We also have insurance, proper licensing, and professional divers,” Regarding safety provisions, Verma said, according to the Indian Express report.