Baansera Park to get houseboat-style event centre by 2026

As part of the efforts to restore the Yamuna, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will invite tenders for a houseboat convention centre at Baansera Park, which is situated on the river’s floodplains. According to a press release issued by the government on Thursday, the project will be completed within 180 days of awarding the contract, with the target date set for May–June 2026.

The construction aims to encourage greater public participation in the river’s restoration and is designed entirely from biodegradable timber to maintain the ecological integrity of the floodplain, the release added.

It mentioned that after the two-stage technical and financial bidding process, the selected bidder will make a final presentation to ensure all specifications are met.

The non-floating structure will house a 15–20-person meeting room, a reception and a lounge, a dining area with pantry, gallery space and interiors similar to Kashmiri wood-carved designs. DDA expects the convention centre to have a lifespan of about 50 years.

Rising nearly nine metres, the multi-level houseboat will include lower, ground, middle and upper decks. The construction will employ a range of woods, including deodar for the base, cedar for the superstructure, and walnut and chinar for intricate carvings and interior panelling. In addition, fire-resistant wall boards and ceramic tile backsplashes will be used to enhance safety of the structure.