After a 10-year hiatus, Purana Qila's popular boat ride makes a comeback
The moat has been cleaned, boats have arrived, and a ticketing counter has been set up. Almost 10 years after it was suspended, the popular boat ride on the Purana Qila lake finally made a comeback and was opened for visitors on a trial basis after the inauguration on Monday.
A 20-25 minute ride costs between Rs 125 and Rs 150 per person. The ride starts from the Talaqi Darwaza side of the lake, and services are available between 9 am and 6 pm. Both two-seater and four-seater paddle boats are available.
A non-profit, Sabhyata Foundation, played a key role in the resumption of services. It serves as a 'Monument Mitra' for five iconic Delhi landmarks: the Red Fort, Purana Qila, Mehrauli Archaeological Park, Safdarjung Tomb, and Humayun's Tomb.
Monument Mitra, also known as the 'Adopt a Heritage' project, is a scheme by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to involve private and public sector companies in developing and maintaining amenities at protected monuments.
Ajay Verma, CEO, Heritage and Events, Sabhyata Foundation, explained that they signed an MoU with the ASI on April 1, 2024, under which they are functioning as 'Smarak Sarthi'. For the past four–five months, preparations were underway at Purana Qila to operate boats and related facilities. A lot of work has gone into enhancing the visitor experience, including building a cafeteria, new toilets, and other amenities, according to the non-profit.
A major launch event is planned for September. Currently, there are five to six boats — the number is expected to increase to 20-25 later.
On Monday, Ohi Pecha, a Hotel Management student from Udaipur, was the first visitor to experience the resumed service. 'It was a good experience… I came with friends. We did boating for 20 minutes, but they said we could do it for as long as we wanted since we were the first ones.'
Regarding safety provisions, Verma asserted, '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.'
While there are only four lifeguards at the site at present, the number is expected to increase once the service is in full swing from September.
Sakshi Das (29), one of the lifeguards, is also a trainer. Originally from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh, she is here to train the other lifeguards and will return once the task is done. She facilitates boating at the Bhilai Zoo.
The boating facility around Purana Qila used to attract more than 2,000 visitors each weekend before it stopped in August 2016. It was halted after the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation was unable to renew its agreement with the ASI for the moat's upkeep.
As a result, the water body, which stretches from Purana Qila's Talaqi Darwaza to the Bada Darwaza, dried up, and boating had to be stopped. Even as the moat were revived in 2018, boat rides did not start.
(Anushka Srivastava is an intern with The Indian Express)
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