Yamuna riverfront development: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalized its plan to develop the Yamuna riverfront, which currently is in an atrocious condition. (Representative image by PTI)

Yamuna riverfront development: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalized its plan to develop the Yamuna riverfront, which currently is in an atrocious condition. It has been learned that DDA wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to unveil the project, according to Navbharat Times report. As soon as the authority gets the Prime Minister’s Office nod in this regard, they will start the project, the report says. The first phase of the work will be undertaken in the stretch between Lohe-ka-Pul or the iron bridge to the ITO barrage. DDA will also build a biodiversity park. Apart from this, a 2.5-km long walkway will be constructed for people to spend leisure time. The walkway will be constructed in such a way that people get the feeling of a hill station. This will be achieved by creating hill-type terrain. Lakes too will be created, the report says.

Officials said that beautification of Yamuna riverfront will be done through eco-friendly methods. Wood will be used to construct the walkway. The use of cement will be limited. The aim of the project is to connect people in the national capital to nature and restore the river to its pristine state, the report says. DDA is also planning to provide water treatment solution for the Yamuna which will be a seperate project.

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On April 12, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal has directed the DDA to develop the Yamuna riverfront. He had asked all stakeholders and agencies to work in tandem and develop the Yamuna riverfront during a meeting with DDA. Baijal had said besides environmental benefits, tourism and economy will also get a major boost through this move.

In the budget for 2017-18, the AAP government had set aside Rs 119 crore for the tourism sector. According to the report, Delhi government was to prepare a tourism policy and develop the Yamuna riverfront. The need for a tourism policy for Delhi has been felt for a long period, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had said while presenting the budget in Delhi Assembly. Sisodia had said that the government has planned to develop the riverfront of the Yamuna. It is proposed to make world-class ecological riverfront of 5 km upstream of Wazirabad, he had said.