Yamuna Luxury Boat Scandal: VIP ‘Vegan Leather’ Plans Scrapped Amid Outcry

New Delhi, March 27, 2026 — At a time when the foaming toxic waters of the Yamuna River remain a symbol of environmental neglect, a controversial plan to procure two ultra-luxury, air-conditioned boats for “VIP inspections” has landed the Delhi government in hot water.

The project, which boasted of vegan leather interiors and a “business-class” aesthetic, has been scrapped following a massive public outcry and allegations of misplaced priorities. The fallout has already led to the suspension of two senior officials as the administration scrambles to contain the damage.

The Luxury Specs: A ‘Business Class’ Experience on Water

The controversy began when details of a tender issued by the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department surfaced, revealing a vision for river monitoring that looked more like a high-end corporate lounge than a functional surveillance vessel.

According to the tender documents, the two boats—estimated to cost over ₹6.2 crore—were designed with high-end specifications aimed at providing “maximum comfort” to visiting dignitaries and VVIPs.

Key features of the proposed vessels included:

• Vegan Leather Seating: Customized business-class push-back seats featuring “exquisite stitching” and wooden-finish hand rests.
• Climate Control: Rooftop cassette-style marine air conditioners to combat Delhi’s sweltering heat.
• Premium Interiors: Concealed LED and ambient lighting to provide a “premium aesthetic look.”
• VIP Public Appearance Deck: An open rear deck equipped with sofas specifically for “public appearances” by VIPs.
• On-board Pantry: A dedicated area for food service and a 400-liter fresh water storage system.

The boats were powered by 300 HP four-stroke engines, capable of reaching speeds of 25 knots—a speed critics argued was unnecessary for the stagnant, sludge-filled stretches of the Yamuna they were meant to “inspect.”

Political Backlash: “Misplaced Priorities”

The revelation sparked an immediate firestorm. Opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, were quick to slam the BJP-led Delhi administration (which currently oversees the I&FC department under the LG-led governance structure).

Critics pointed out the irony of spending crores on “aesthetic looks” and “vegan leather” while the river itself remains heavily polluted.

“The Yamuna is choking with toxic foam, yet the government is splurging on luxury boats to stage-manage VIP visits,” said a spokesperson for the Congress.

Online, the hashtag #YamunaLuxury trended as citizens questioned why funds weren’t being diverted to Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) or direct cleaning efforts instead of “floating VIP lounges.”

Government Cracks Down: Suspensions and Inquiry

Facing mounting pressure, Delhi’s Irrigation and Flood Control Minister, Parvesh Verma, announced on Thursday that the tender had been officially cancelled.

In a move to distance the leadership from the controversy, the government has:

1. Suspended Two Officials: An executive engineer and an assistant engineer were placed under suspension for allegedly issuing the tender without proper authorization or prior information to the ministry.
2. Ordered a Probe: A high-level inquiry is now underway to investigate the “circumstances” under which such lavish specifications were approved.
3. Revised Procurement Guidelines: Future boat purchases will be strictly “need-based” and limited to essential functions like pollution monitoring and rescue operations, stripped of any luxury fittings.

The Reality of the Yamuna

While the government maintains that boats are necessary for surveillance and Chhath Puja monitoring, the current fleet consists mostly of hired vessels. The 22-km stretch of the Yamuna in Delhi, from Wazirabad to Okhla, accounts for nearly 80% of the river’s total pollution load, despite making up less than 2% of its length.

For the residents of Delhi, the “aesthetic look” they are most concerned about isn’t the interior of a boat—it’s the restoration of the river to its natural, clean state.