9 hours ago
Soon, you may enjoy Turkey-like hot air balloon rides at these two locations in Delhi
Delhi residents may soon experience the thrill of hot-air ballooning, similar to popular rides in Turkey's Cappadocia region, without leaving the city. The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced plans to introduce recreational
hot-air balloon rides
at two major locations — the
Commonwealth Games Village
near Akshardham and the
Yamuna Sports Complex
in Surajmal Vihar — as part of a new tourism push.
Delhi Hot Air Balloons: Two sites selected for initial launch
Following internal evaluations, DDA has identified the two sports complexes for the pilot phase. A tender has been issued, inviting private firms to run the hot-air balloon services.
'These sites will be offered for operation of hot air ballooning on a revenue-sharing basis. The required area, approximately 60 metres by 60 metres at each site, will be provided to the firm as per mutually agreed timings and days,' the tender issued by DDA stated.
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Licence terms, advertising rights, and operating hours fixed
According to the plan, firms will be allowed to advertise on the balloons. Each operator will receive a licence for three years, with a possible extension of up to nine years.
'The space will be provided to the firm for undertaking a maximum of four hours of flying per day. However, temporary permission for additional hours may be granted by DDA on a case-to-case basis,' the proposal added.
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Ticket prices to be operator-driven, but must stay reasonable
While the pricing for the balloon rides will be set by the operator, DDA has directed that ticket costs be kept at an affordable level for the general public.
Leisure tourism to be added to legacy sports infrastructure
The Commonwealth Games Village, located along the Yamuna River and built to house athletes for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, spans nearly 100 acres. The Yamuna Sports Complex in Surajmal Vihar was also developed as part of the same event. Both sites are currently used for sports activities and have additional open spaces.
To begin with, four specific locations have been marked at each complex to host the balloon rides, aiming to increase footfall and make better use of the existing infrastructure.
If successful, Delhi could soon offer its own version of the scenic hot-air balloon experiences popular in global tourist hubs.
Ropeway along Yamuna in the works, says DDA
Delhi could soon also get its first urban ropeway system, with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) planning to build the transport line along the Yamuna river. The proposed aerial route is expected to give passengers elevated views of religious sites, riverbanks, and parts of Old Delhi, officials said.
Ropeway to be integrated with Kalindi Aviral project
The ropeway is expected to begin from the Kalindi Aviral site, a riverfront project currently under development along the Yamuna's western bank. Spread over 163 hectares, the Kalindi Aviral corridor covers the stretch from NH-24 to the Barapullah drain. The Baansera park near Sarai Kale Khan, which has already been opened to the public, is part of this larger initiative.
Capacity and technical details under discussion
The proposed ropeway aims to carry up to 3,000 passengers per hour in each direction. According to the initial plan, each gondola will have a capacity of eight to ten people. However, key design elements including the final route alignment, number of stations, and placement of towers are still being finalised.
The ropeway plan is part of a broader effort to improve mobility and promote tourism along the Yamuna, while also adding green and recreational infrastructure.
(Inputs from PTI)
