New Delhi, Nov 16 (NationPress) Delhi's Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena announced on Sunday the DDA’s initiative to enhance sports and recreational activities, including Movable Basketball Hoops, at parks along the Yamuna and in Mehrauli.

“Recently, we decided to add some sporting excitement to our beloved recreational parks. Today, Asita, Baansera, and Mehrauli Archaeological Park have been equipped with Movable Basketball Hoops and basketballs,” said LG Saxena in a post on X.

“It’s encouraging to see that visitors have already begun utilizing this new facility. I encourage everyone to not only relish the stunning surroundings of these parks but also to try their hand at Alley-oop, Free Throw, and Airball,” he added.

The DDA characterized this as a significant move towards making fitness and recreation more accessible to the residents of Delhi.

Previously, the DDA revealed plans to provide the citizens of Delhi an opportunity to appreciate the city’s natural beauty from a hot air balloon.

The agency has begun the process to select a company for this project aimed at promoting eco-tourism, recreational activities, and a unique aerial view of the National Capital and its surroundings.

This entire initiative was conceptualized under the guidance of LG Saxena.

The hot air balloon project will be conducted at the Yamuna Sports Complex, Commonwealth Games Sports Complex, and along the Yamuna bank at Asita and Baansera, as per a statement from the DDA.

The duration of this project is set for three years, extendable to a maximum of nine years. The selected agency will be allotted 3600 sqm (60X60 m) space at each location for operating the hot air balloons.

Each day, four hours of flight time will be permitted, although the DDA may extend this based on demand.

The private firm will manage the balloon rides using a revenue-sharing model, with pricing determined in collaboration with the DDA. To maintain transparency, all ticket sale proceeds will go directly to the DDA's account, according to the statement.

The DDA has been actively engaged in the Rejuvenation of the River Yamuna, with several projects underway along its banks, including Asita, which has transformed from an encroached area into a vibrant green space.

Additionally, the DDA has developed Baansera Bamboo Park at Sarai Kale Khan, which was formerly a site for construction debris. It has now evolved into a bamboo-themed park featuring over 30,000 bamboo plants, three water bodies, and a musical fountain.

The Yamuna Sports Complex, located at Surajmal Vihar, is the largest sports complex created by the DDA, while the Commonwealth Games Sports Complex was built for the 2010 Commonwealth Games held in the National Capital.