New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department of the Delhi government has initiated a tender for the acquisition of two boats aimed at facilitating monitoring and survey activities along the Yamuna river, as per officials.

Released on March 12, the tender outlines a budget of approximately Rs 6.2 crore for the two vessels, with each estimated to cost around Rs 3.1 crore. These boats are intended for river surveillance, conducting surveys, and enabling inspection visits by senior officials.

The tender details specify that each boat should be able to accommodate between 16 to 20 individuals and have approximate dimensions of 13 metres in length, 4.3 metres in width, and 2.1 metres in height. They will feature enclosed cabins equipped with air conditioning and comfortable seating arrangements.

Interior specifications will include customized, business-class push-back seats made from vegan leather, integrated hand rests with a wooden finish, bottle holders, and ambient LED lighting. Additionally, the boats will have a pantry for food service, washrooms, and a fresh water storage capacity of around 400 litres.

The rear deck of each vessel will be open, featuring sofa-type seating for three to four persons, facilitating public appearances during official visits and inspections.

Powered by 300-horsepower four-stroke engines, the boats will have fuel tank capacities ranging from 700 to 1,000 litres. According to the tender specifications, each vessel will possess a displacement of about 12 tonnes when fully loaded and will be capable of achieving speeds of up to 25 knots.

Safety provisions onboard will consist of tracking devices, very high frequency (VHF) radio communication systems, fire pumps, emergency medical equipment, and depth sounders capable of measuring water depths up to 500 metres. The supplier will also be responsible for maintenance and provision of spare parts for two years.

Officials indicated that these boats will play a crucial role in monitoring the Yamuna, conducting surveys, and aiding in inspection visits by senior government officials. They are also expected to assist in flood monitoring and rescue missions during the monsoon season, particularly during festivals like Chhath Puja.

Currently, the I&FC department relies on hired boats for bathymetric surveys, rescue efforts, and monitoring during the monsoon, as noted in the annual report released last month.

The bidding for the tender is anticipated to close by March 19, with the procurement process expected to take approximately five months post-selection.

Additionally, the Delhi government has acquired a 40-seater vessel for a proposed cruise service on the Yamuna between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. This initiative aims to launch recreational cruises and ferry services on the river, although the service rollout has faced delays.