New Delhi: The Delhi government’s Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department is set to upgrade its river surveillance from basic rentals to high-end luxury. According to a recently issued tender, the city is procuring two state-of-the-art, air-conditioned vessels specifically designed for VVIP and VIP inspections of the Yamuna River, carrying a combined price tag of approximately Rs 6.2 crore.

Each vessel, priced at roughly Rs 3.10 crore, is designed to serve as a mobile, high-tech office for dignitaries monitoring the ongoing river cleaning effort. Far from standard patrol boats, these 13-meter-long and 4.3-meter-wide crafts are built for maximum comfort and “premium aesthetic appeal.”

Key Interior Features include:

Customised business-class” push-back seats upholstered in vegan leather with exquisite stitching and wooden finishes.

Cassette-type rooftop marine air conditioners to keep officials cool during Delhi’s blistering summers. A dedicated pantry for food service and a 400-litre fresh water storage system. An open rear deck equipped with sofas seating three to four people, specifically designed for VIPs to make public appearances or address the media from the water. The cabins will feature concealed LED and ambient lighting to maintain a high-end look.

While the interiors focus on luxury, the mechanical specifications are built for performance. Each 12-tonne boat will be powered by a 300 HP four-stroke engine, capable of reaching speeds of 25 knots. To ensure the electronics and AC run uninterrupted, the boats will carry diesel generators and fuel tanks with a capacity of up to 1,000 litres.

Safety is also a priority, with the tender mandating VHF radio signal stations and tracking devices, emergency medical equipment, fire pumps and advanced depth sounders capable of measuring the riverbed up to 500 meters deep.

A senior official from the I&FC department justified the expenditure, noting that the government’s intense focus on the Yamuna cleaning project requires frequent, high-level inspections by top dignitaries. While the boats are primarily for “VVIP/VIP” use, the department noted they could be deployed for rescue operations during emergencies.

Currently, the Delhi government relies on hired boats for monsoon monitoring, bathymetric surveys, and festival surveillance (such as Chhath Puja). These hired vessels have previously hosted high-profile visits from the Lieutenant Governor and other officials.

The tender notice, dated March 12, set a swift bidding deadline of March 19, Hindustan Times reported. Once a supplier is finalised, the boats are expected to be delivered within five months. The winning agency will also be responsible for all maintenance and spare parts for the first two years of operation.

This move toward river-based infrastructure follows the government’s recent launch of a 40-seater public cruise service between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur, aimed at reconnecting Delhi’s residents with the Yamuna through recreation.