New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi MV flagged off on Friday Ganga Vilas Luxury cruise from Banaras to Varanasi on the world’s longest river journey Dibrugarh, “inauguration of Ganges Vilas will open new avenues for Eastern India to emerge more brightly on the world map of tourism,” PM Modi said after the inauguration.
“India cannot be defined in words, it can only be experienced with the heart,” the PM told foreign tourists on board the MV Ganga Vilas River Cruise.
MV Ganga Vilas is the first cruise ship to be built in India. This is the symbol of self-reliant India.Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the river cruise sector.
The PM also inaugurated the ‘tent city’ built on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Apart from this, he also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several projects of inland waterways in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam on the occasion.
The flag-off ceremony was held in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Sarbananda SonowalApart from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, other ministers and senior officials of various ministries and departments.
“India cannot be defined in words, it can only be experienced with the heart,” the PM told foreign tourists on board the MV Ganga Vilas River Cruise.
MV Ganga Vilas is the first cruise ship to be built in India. This is the symbol of self-reliant India.Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the river cruise sector.
The PM also inaugurated the ‘tent city’ built on the banks of river Ganga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Apart from this, he also laid the foundation stone and inaugurated several projects of inland waterways in Bihar, West Bengal and Assam on the occasion.
The flag-off ceremony was held in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Sarbananda SonowalApart from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, other ministers and senior officials of various ministries and departments.
Here are the highlights of PM’s speech,
- PM Modi said, the launch of cruise service on river Ganga will be a historic moment, the beginning of a new era of tourism in India.
- “India has everything you can imagine, it also has that which is beyond your imagination, India cannot be defined in words but can be experienced by heart. India has always kept its heart Open to all, irrespective of religion.” Tourists taking a cruise.
- The launch of MV Ganga Vilas River Cruise which will travel over 3200 km is a live example of the development of inland waterways in the country. Work is on for the development of 111 National Waterways in 24 states.
Here are the highlights of the cruise-
- From Modi’s constituency to Sonowal’s hometown via Bangladesh
The MV Ganga Vilas began its journey from PM Modi’s constituency Varanasi and traveled nearly 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, crossing 27 river systems in both the countries. Dibrugarh is the hometown of Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. - Tracing India’s Cultural Roots
PM Modi said that the 51-day river cruise is a unique opportunity to connect with the country’s cultural roots and discover the beautiful aspects of its diversity. According to the PMO, the cruise has been curated to showcase the best of the country to the world. - 50 tourist places
The cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist destinations 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
Built to fuse Indian and international design, the modernist vessel is 62 meters long and 12 meters wide and requires a draft of 1.4 metres. With 18 suites and all associated amenities, the vessel has the capacity to carry a total of 36 passengers. The cruiser has three decks, capacity to carry 36 tourists and 18 suites on board with all luxury amenities. - key features
The 62.5m x 12.8m long cruise ship will have five-star amenities. The accommodation has a capacity of 36 tourists through 18 luxury suites with state-of-the-art facilities. Dining has French balcony, open air balcony, gym, study room, spa and salon. It is equipped with modern life saving equipment and facilities. - on a trip home
Union Port Shipping Minister andWaterway Sarbananda Sonowal Said that on its maiden voyage, MV Ganga Vilas will take 32 tourists from Switzerland across 27 river systems and pass through various major riverside destinations in Bangladesh, Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati and Sibsagar/Dibrugarh.