Delhi Government Cancels Luxury Boat Procurement and Suspends Officials

New Delhi, March 27, 2026: The Delhi government has called off its plans to acquire two air-conditioned boats intended for VIP use, citing concerns over public scrutiny and administrative lapses. Two senior officials involved in the tender process have been suspended as the administration investigates the matter.

Parvesh Verma, Minister in charge of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, confirmed that the procurement process was halted immediately and ordered a review of how the tenders were issued without proper oversight. The suspended officials include the executive engineer and assistant engineer responsible for processing the bids.

The move comes after opposition parties raised questions over the necessity of luxury boats costing over ₹6 crore, describing the project as a misuse of public funds and a misaligned priority in the context of the city’s ongoing civic challenges.

According to internal documents, the proposed vessels were designed with high-end features such as air-conditioned cabins, premium seating, and open rear decks for public appearances. Each boat could accommodate 16 to 20 passengers, with interiors reportedly planned in business-class style with ambient lighting and customized fittings.

Following public concerns, the government clarified that any future boat procurement will focus strictly on operational purposes, including river surveillance, pollution monitoring, and other functional needs of the department.

The cancellation comes a day after media reports highlighted the luxury specifications of the boats, prompting the minister to order an inquiry into the procedural lapses surrounding the tender.

Officials emphasized that the decision does not affect the broader Yamuna clean-up project, which remains a key focus for the administration. The stretches of the river under active restoration cover critical pollution hotspots from Palla to Badarpur and from Wazirabad to Asgarpur, encompassing the areas with the highest contamination levels.

The department also issued a corrigendum earlier in March to extend the tender deadline for administrative reasons, but the process was ultimately stopped before any contracts were awarded.Authorities continue to review internal protocols to prevent similar issues in future procurements and ensure that public resources are allocated transparently and efficiently.

The suspension and cancellation are expected to serve as a cautionary example within the administration, reinforcing accountability in high-value projects funded by taxpayer money.