India, March 27 -- Air-conditioned cabins, business class pushback seats for VIP and VVIPs, vegan leather, hand rests with wooden finish, premium aesthetic look and more - an array of amenities were planned for two boats, worth over Rs.3 crore each in Delhi. The purpose? Inspections of river Yamuna by dignitaries.

Following criticism of these extravagant plans, the tender process for these boats now stands cancelled, with two senior officials involved with the procurement of these boats suspended.

A day after HT reported on the tender in its March 18 report, an inquiry was launched into the tender dated March 12, to understand "the circumstances under which they were issued". A political controversy erupted over reports of these VIP boa...