NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, and inaugurated a 'Tent City' on the banks of the Ganga river in Varanasi via video conferencing.
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Ganga Vilas Launch Live UpdatesFrom Varanasi to Dibrugarh
MV Ganga Vilas began its journey from Varanasi, PM Modi's constituency, and will sail around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, traversing across 27 river systems in the two countries, a statement from PMO said. Dibrugarh is the hometown of Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal. "A trail through India's ancient heritage on some of the mightiest rivers of the world. Ganga Vilas, the world's longest river cruise, will be flagged-off by PM Narendra Modi ji Jan 13. Join this majestic journey," Sonowal tweeted.
Varanasi to Dibrugargh: Ganga Vilas cruise covers 27 rivers in 51 days
Tracing India's cultural roots
Modi said the 51-day river cruise is a unique opportunity to connect with the country's cultural roots and discover beautiful aspects of its diversity. According to PMO, the cruise has been curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world.
Ganga Vilas Route - 50 tourist spots
The cruise is planned with visits to 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.
A luxury cruise
The cruiser has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of carrying 36 tourists and having all luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.
Varanasi to Dibrugargh: Ganga Vilas cruise covers 27 rivers in 51 days
Ganga Vilas cruise ticket price
The journey doesn’t come cheap. Operated by Kolkata-based company Antara Luxury River Cruises that says it focuses on “exceptional attention to detail”, the trip costs approximately Rs 13 lakh per person, or $15,300, for the all-inclusive package with expeditions, sightseeing and entertainment for the 51-day duration – that’s roughly Rs 25,000, or $300, per day, according to the operators. Shorter itineraries can also be planned. The cost is the same for Indians and foreigners. Tickets for the ‘MV Ganga Vilas’ cruise can be booked through Antara’s website.
The journey of Ganga Vilas Cruise
The cruise was initially expected to be launched in 2020 but got delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The maiden cruise now sets sail on January 13, 2023, from Varanasi, and is expected to arrive at its final destination – Dibrugarh – on March 1, 2023. It’s been booked by 32 tourists. Interestingly, they are all foreigners, from Switzerland.
Ganga Vilas Cruise booking
The cruise’s popularity is reflected in its bookings – Raj Singh, founder and CEO Antara Luxury River Cruises, operator of the cruise, said that the inaugural cruise was fully booked much before the launch, while UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath claimed advance bookings had been made for the next 2-3 years.
'Tent City'
The 'Tent City' at Varanasi has been conceptualised on the banks of the River Ganga to tap the potential of tourism in the region, the PMO said.
Other projects
PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore during the event.
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