Jan 13, 2023:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world’s longest river Cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, in Varanasi via video conferencing on Friday.
The first ever indigenously built cruise vessel will traverse 3200 kilometres through five states in India and parts of Bangladesh over 51 days. MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and reach Dibrugarh in Assam. With 18 suites and a capacity of 36 tourists, the cruise boasts of luxury amenities like French balconies, LED TVs, safes, smoke detectors, and convertible beds.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the beginning of the world’s longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment, asserting that the project will herald a new age of tourism in India.
During the event, the prime minister also inaugurated Tent City in Varanasi and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth over ₹1000 crores.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways – Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, and other Ministers and senior officials from various Ministries and Departments.
