Varanasi cruise

Delhi, Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas between Varanasi-Dibrugarh on January 13 (Friday).

Here are the details you should know about the ‘MV Ganga Vilas’

  • MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.
  • MV Ganga Vilas has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.
  • The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world.
  • The 51 days 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.
  • 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.
  • In line with PM Modi’s endeavor to boost river cruise tourism, the huge untapped potential of a river cruise will get unlocked with the launch of this service and it will herald a new age of river cruise tourism for India.
  • This five-star moving hotel has 18 suites with a capacity of 36 tourists. Apart from this, it has accommodation for 40 crew members. The cruise has also been fitted with facilities such as a spa, salon, and gym.
  • To enjoy this luxury, a tourist will have to pay a fare of Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000 a day. The total cost for the 51-day journey will come to around Rs 20 lakh for each passenger.
  • The cruise is equipped with a pollution-free system and noise control technology.
  • The cruise will cover 50 tourist destinations including world heritage sites, national parks, river ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Shahiganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Guwahati in Assam.

While talking to the media about the MV Ganga Vilas between Varanasi-Dibrugarh, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal said that “Under PM Modi’s leadership, India will create history in the river cruise sector of the world. It’s for the first time that the longest cruise will be successfully operated. This will create new vistas for our growth in tourism, culture, and domestic & global trade & in many ways, it’ll open a new chapter of our economic growth. It’s the PM’s vision which is to help people of the country to make themselves self-reliant & make Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

More than 30 foreign tourists to be part of MV Ganga Vilas cruise

Thirty-two foreign tourists who will go on the world’s longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, on its maiden journey were accorded a warm welcome in Varanasi on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the cruise from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Guwahati in Assam on January 13 via video conferencing.

Varanasi cruise

A Varanasi district administration official said the foreign tourists were welcomed at the Ramnagar terminal with garlands and tunes of shehnai. They will visit various religious and historical places in Varanasi before setting out on the cruise.

Also Read: CM Pema Khandu shares the video of the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas

Varanasi cruise

The journey covers around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, traversing across 27 river systems in the two countries.

PM Modi on the world’s longest river cruise

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the 51-day river cruise, to be flagged off by him on January 13, is a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s cultural roots and discover beautiful aspects of its diversity.

He was reacting to Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s tweet about what has been described as the world’s largest river cruise.

Varanasi cruise

The minister said, “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.”

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu shared a video of the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas will set sail from sacred Kashi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh on January 13.

Varanasi cruise

While sharing the video on Twitter, CM wrote, “The world’s longest river cruise MV #GangaVilas will set sail from sacred Kashi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh on January 13. A journey through the ancient heritage of India & the extraordinary spirit of Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat.”