India, Oct. 22 -- The Capital's long-promised cruise experience on the Yamuna is now in its final stretch, with officials confirming on Thursday that the first vessel is nearly ready and test runs are expected to begin by early December. If all goes as planned, Delhi's first river cruise will open to the public before the end of this year.

Tourism department officials said the ship is being assembled near Wazirabad and is now in the "final stages" of completion. "The assembling of the first cruise vessel is in its final stages. It should be ready for trials by early December," said an official familiar with the project.

The department plans to begin operations with a single ship and introduce a second vessel later, depending on public d...