'MV Ganga Vilas' Will Herald New Age Of Tourism In India: PM Modi Flags Off World's Longest Luxury Cruise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the world's longest luxury cruise, MV Ganga Vilas and 'Tent City' in Varanasi.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, in a bid to boost cruise tourism.
He commenced his speech by saying "har har mahadev" and said, "The beginning of the world's longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment. It will herald a new age of tourism in India."
He laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a 'Tent City' on the banks of the Ganga river in Varanasi through video conferencing.
"Today, foundation stones have been laid for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1000 crores. This will expand trade and tourism and employment opportunities in eastern India," PM Modi said.
Talking about the MV Ganga Vilas, he emphasised, "I want to tell passengers onboard river cruise liner MV Ganga Vilas that India has everything you can imagine. It also has a lot beyond your imagination. India can't be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India has opened her heart for everyone."
"The commencement of MV Ganga Vilas river cruise which will sail over 3200 km is a living example of the development of inland waterways in the country. Work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States," he added.
The 'Tent City' will be operational from October to June every year and will be dismantled for three months due to the rise in river water level in the rainy season.
MV Ganga Vilas
MV Ganga Vilas will mark its journey from Varanasi and continue to sail around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh passing through 27 river systems in the two countries, the PMO said in a statement. The cruise has been advertised since 2018 and was scheduled to debut in 2020. However, the project was pushed back in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The cruiser has been designed with three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, and equipped with all luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.
The cruise has been designed to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world. It is planned in a way that tourists will get to explore 50 tourist spots, including world heritage sites, national parks, river 'ghats', and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam.
The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh.
Tent City Project
The 'Tent City' at Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganga aims to tap the potential of tourism in the region, as per the Prime Minister's Office. The project developed opposite city ghats will provide accommodation facilities and cater to manage the influx of tourists in Varanasi, especially since the inauguration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
The city has been developed by the Varanasi Development Authority in PPP mode. The tourists will reach the 'Tent City' by boats from different ghats situated in the vicinity.
(With Agency Inputs)
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