PM Modi Flags Off MV Ganga Vilas Cruise In Varanasi

Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, flagged off the world’s largest river cruise on the 13th of January, Friday.

On Friday, river cruise MV Ganga Vilas was launched in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The river cruise would begin its journey from Varanasi and would sail around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh. The cruise would cover 27 river systems in the two countries.

During the launch event, Mr. Narendra Modi 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 further added, "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."

Speaking of the world’s largest cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, it would make its route to Sant Ravidas Ghat from the Ramnagar port and would cover 50 tourist spots, including World Heritage Sights, National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh.

In addition, the tickets for Ganga Vilas Luxury Cruise could be booked through the official website of the company that operates the cruise. Mr. Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed the per day per person charge on the cruise is Rs 24,692.25 ($300.)

For the complete 51 days, the cruise ticket would cost more than Rs. 12.59 lakh ($1,5300.)