India

DDA To Launch Hot Air Balloon Rides At Four Yamuna-Side Locations To Boost Eco-Tourism

In a bid to promote eco-tourism and offer a unique recreational experience, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has finalised plans to introduce hot air balloon rides at four locations near the Yamuna River.

The initiative, conceptualised under the guidance of Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena, aims to highlight Delhi’s natural beauty and newly rejuvenated green spaces.

Hot Air Balloon Rides at Four Locations

DDA has selected a private agency to manage the balloon operations at the following sites:

Yamuna Sports Complex
Commonwealth Games Sports Complex
Asita Riverfront
Baansera Bamboo Park

Each site will have 3,600 sqm (60×60 m) of dedicated space for balloon activities, with flights expected to begin within the next two months.

The selected private agency has received a three-year contract, extendable up to nine years. Balloon rides will operate for four hours daily, with flexibility for extensions based on demand.

Operations will follow a revenue-sharing model, with DDA setting ticket prices in coordination with the private partner.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be directly deposited into DDA’s account to ensure transparency and proper record-keeping.

Part of Yamuna Riverfront Rejuvenation

The balloon rides are part of a larger initiative led by the DDA to revitalise the Yamuna floodplains. The DDA has converted previously encroached or neglected areas into thriving ecological and recreational hubs:

Asita, once a heavily encroached area, now features lush greenery and open landscapes.
Baansera Bamboo Park at Sarai Kale Khan, once a dumping ground for construction debris, now showcases over 30,000 bamboo plants, three water bodies, and a musical fountain.

Moreover, the initiative also leverages key DDA-developed sports complexes:

Yamuna Sports Complex in Surajmal Vihar, DDA’s largest facility of its kind.
Commonwealth Games Sports Complex, originally developed for the 2010 international sporting event.

Through such developments, the DDA seeks to blend recreation with environmental sustainability and open up new ways for residents and tourists to connect with the city’s green spaces.

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Purnima Mishra