Fri Aug 01 04:58:44 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, written in a style consistent with The Hindu:

**News Article:**

**Delhi to Take Flight: Hot Air Balloon Rides Coming to Yamuna Riverfront and Sports Complexes**

**New Delhi, August 1, 2025:** The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is set to launch hot air balloon rides across key locations in the capital within the next two months, aiming to boost eco-tourism and showcase Delhi’s natural beauty. The initiative will offer residents and visitors a unique aerial perspective of the city.

The rides will operate from four locations: Yamuna Sports Complex, Commonwealth Games Sports Complex, Asita green zone, and the Baansera Bamboo Park at the Yamuna riverfront. Flying time will be limited to four hours per day.

A private agency will manage the operations under a revenue-sharing model, with all ticket revenue directly benefiting the DDA to ensure transparency. The agency will be allocated 3600 sqm of space at each location and the contract is assigned for 3 years, which can be extended up to a time period of a maximum of 9 years.

This project aligns with the DDA’s broader vision of rejuvenating the River Yamuna and developing its front into a vibrant tourism and cultural hub. In addition to the hot air balloon rides, the DDA is also developing a ferry service on a four- to six-kilometer stretch of the Yamuna River between Sonia Vihar and Jagatpur. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the departments of the Delhi government to facilitate the ferry service.

The DDA hopes that these initiatives will attract both domestic and international tourists, further enhancing Delhi’s appeal as a premier destination.

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