India, Nov. 11 -- D iwali may be over, but the festive spirit continues as Delhi gears up for Chhath Puja on Sunday. Amid worsening air quality and persistent concerns over Yamuna's pollution, Delhiites have a new attraction to explore: a river cruise! Launched on Tuesday, the Capital's first recreational river cruise, Namo Yamuna River Safari, has drawn both excitement and questions over the city's environmental priorities. Operating along the Sonia Vihar-Jagatpur stretch, the electric-powered cruise covers approximately 5-6km in 35-45 minutes, accommodating up to 30 passengers. Tickets are expected to cost Rs.500 per person. The riverfront development also envisages food kiosks, a restaurant and a kid's zone. Welcoming the initiative, Paralympian Deepa Malik says, "A lot of developed cities have cruises on their rivers, and if we aspire to become a Viksit Bharat, this is a step in that direction. We have a beautiful, historic city and river." But she also urges residents to take responsibility for pollution, particularly after Diwali. Artist Samar Jodha offers a contrasting perspective, comparing the cruise to paid tours of Mumbai's Dharavi. "With the Yamuna cruise, it is our own damage, something all of us have done to the river as citizens, and now we are being asked to pay to look at it, except the boat runs on the stretch above Wazirabad, which was picked because the water is still clean there, before the drains come in." He adds, "In November, with the air the way it is, I doubt you can see across the water from the deck anyway." Odissi dance guru Sonal Mansingh, meanwhile, sees the initiative as an opportunity to reconnect with the river's cultural significance. "The cruise was launched yesterday, between Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, making it an auspicious beginning on the Yamuna, the sacred river associated with Shri Krishna. I believe it will bring positivity to Delhi." Hoping the experience will also educate visitors, she adds, "Yamunaji deserves our respect, affection and admiration, and I hope the cruise will also offer people information about the river's importance and significance."...