Overview
- The Irrigation and Flood Control minister sought a detailed inquiry into the VIP boat tender, and the department issued a corrigendum extending bid submissions to March 27 for administrative reasons.
- The March 12 tender seeks two air‑conditioned inspection vessels for the Yamuna at a combined estimate of about ₹6.2 crore, with each priced near ₹3.10 crore.
- Project documents call for 16–20 passenger capacity with enclosed AC cabins, a pantry, washrooms, customized push‑back seating, and an open rear deck for appearances.
- Technical and safety specs include 300 HP four‑stroke engines, 700–1,000 litre fuel tanks, speeds up to 25 knots, tracking systems, VHF radios, fire pumps, emergency medical kits, and depth sounders, with two years of maintenance and delivery projected about five months after supplier finalisation.
- Officials say the boats would support inspections, surveys, flood monitoring and rescue operations, as opposition criticism intensified after froth was seen on the Yamuna near Kalindi Kunj and government representatives defended ongoing cleanup efforts.