Delhi to Build Wooden Houseboat-Style Convention Centre at Baansera on Yamuna Floodplain

New Delhi | December 12, 2025 Delhi is preparing to add a unique cultural landmark to its landscape with a houseboat-style convention centre planned at Baansera on the Yamuna floodplain. Officials confirmed that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is set to issue tenders for the project, which aims to create a warm, wood-crafted meeting and event space inspired by the charm of Kashmiri houseboats. The plan is part of lieutenant governor VK Saxena’s broader effort to open up the floodplain and turn it into a more welcoming public space. The upcoming convention centre will stand on the redeveloped Baansera site, known for its bamboo park and green surroundings. According to officials, the building will be made entirely from different varieties of wood, with no concrete or steel used at any stage. Even the piling will rely on timber to ensure that the ecological character of the riverfront is preserved. Drawings shared by DDA show a four-level structure, reaching a height of around nine metres, with each deck built using carefully selected and seasoned wood. The facility will include a meeting room that can seat around 15 to 20 people, a dining area supported by a pantry, a reception and waiting lounge, a gallery section and a series of supporting services. The centre is designed to host meetings, conferences, small gatherings and dining events with an ambience that blends traditional craftsmanship and modern utility. The project is planned to be completed within 180 days once the contract is awarded, which places the expected opening around May or June 2026. Officials said the final bidder will be selected through a two-stage evaluation process and must provide a detailed presentation to demonstrate how they will meet design and function guidelines. Multiple types of wood will be used in the construction. Deodar will form the main base, cedar will shape the structure above it and walnut wood will be used for decorative carved details. The interior panels and ceilings will be made from chinar wood to add a touch of elegance. The design includes Persian-style carvings on the railing, columns, arches and exterior wall panels. Cedar-framed windows with carved sashes and glass panes will also feature in the structure. Though inspired by a floating Kashmiri houseboat, this centre will remain fixed to the ground. DDA officials estimate that the building will have a lifespan of about 50 years. Natural materials will be used throughout to ensure durability. All timber will be seasoned so that the structure does not warp over time, and joints will be sealed with either natural resin or weather-resistant materials. The floors will be built using engineered wood and the walls will use fire-resistant boards to maintain safety standards. The interior will also feature traditional Kashmiri carved jaali patterns and other handcrafted details. Ceramic tiles will be placed in areas such as backsplashes and the doors will be engineered to include fire-safety ratings. Baansera, where the new centre will rise, has already been transformed into a public park planted with over 30,000 bamboo plants from more than 15 varieties. The DDA has also grown Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya on two acres underneath the bamboo canopy. The park is open with an entry fee of ₹30 for adults, while children below 10 years can enter at no cost. Nearby, a six-acre depression has been developed into a water body, and a musical fountain operates on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with shows at 7.30pm and 8.30pm. The new convention centre is expected to add both beauty and utility to the riverside park, offering a distinctive wooden space for the public to enjoy while supporting the ongoing revival of the Yamuna floodplain. Delhi to Build Wooden Houseboat-Style Convention Centre at Baansera on Yamuna Floodplain Delhi is all set to get a one-of-a-kind houseboat-style convention centre at Baansera, right along the Yamuna floodplain. The Delhi Development Authority is preparing to float tenders for this wooden, four-level structure that will serve as a warm and artistic space for meetings, conferences and dining events. The project is part of LG VK Saxena’s push to turn the floodplain into a greener and more accessible public area. The entire centre will be crafted in wood, without using concrete or steel. Even the piling will be timber-based to keep the riverfront’s natural feel intact. Plans show a nine-metre-high facility with a ground deck, lower deck, middle deck and upper deck, all made with different kinds of wood. The base will use deodar, the superstructure will be cedar and the decorative parts will be sculpted in walnut. Inside, chinar wood will add a warm, handcrafted touch. The convention centre will include a meeting space for 15–20 people, a dining area with a pantry, a reception and waiting lounge, a gallery and the needed amenities. It is expected to be completed within 180 days after the contract is awarded, which means it could be ready by mid-2026. Designs feature carved Persian-style details on the railing, arches and panels. Cedar-framed windows with carved sashes will add to the traditional look. Although inspired by Kashmiri houseboats, this structure will stay fixed to the ground and is expected to last around 50 years. Baansera itself has already become a lively public park with more than 30,000 bamboo plants, a water body, a musical fountain and even Lakadong turmeric grown under the bamboo canopy. With this new wooden convention centre, the riverside is set to become an even more attractive spot for visitors.