VARANASI: India listed itself amongst the top cruise owners on Friday as PM Modi flagged off the MV Ganga Vilas cruise from Varanasi. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at Varanasi on the occasion.
“The inauguration of the MV Ganga Vilas cruise will take India’s tourism to global heights. Foundation stones have been laid for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs. 1,000 crores,” PM Modi said.
Those on board Ganga Vilas will get to experience Varanasi’s famous Ganga Aarti, visit Sarnath, the site revered by Buddhists, and see Majuli, the hub of Vaishnavite culture in Assam. Tours of the Sunderbans and the Kaziranga national park are also part of the journey, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said.
All About MV Ganga Vilas Cruise
- The MV Ganga Vilas cruise has three decks and 18 suites on board, with a capacity of 36 tourists and all the amenities.
- The cruise has a gym, spa centre, and library, among other things.
- The cruise will pass through 27 river systems.
- This will improve connectivity with Bangladesh.
- The Ganga Vilas project under the public–private partnership (PPP) model will also invite more competition and add to the growth of the tourism sector.
- Touted the world’s longest river cruise, it is planned around 50 tourist spots, that include national parks, world heritage sites and the cities of Patna, Guwahati, Kolkata and even Bangladesh capital Dhaka, government sources claimed.