River cruise tourism India gets financing of Rs.45,000 crore

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

The Ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways has declared Rs. 45,000 crore funding to progress river cruise tourism, targeting to make use of India’s inland watercourses for financial progress.

This funding comprises Rs. 35,000 crore for cruise ships and Rs. 10,000 crore for cruise terminal arrangement by 2047, said the ministry in a declaration. The pronouncement, intended toward changing India’s inland channels into vibrant commercial waterways, was taken at the introductory Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) assembly in Kolkata.

Presided by Sarbananda Sonowal, the shipping and ports minister, the assembly gathered state ministers and industry frontrunners to plan on increasing inland watercourse feasibility. Minister Sonowal emphasized the IWDC’s objective of sustainable growth for an Atmanirbhar Bharat by the close of Amrit Kaal.

The strategy comprises increasing river cruise tourism from eight to 26 channels and growing cruise tracks with night stays from 17 to 80. The amount of river cruise stations is expected to increase from 15 to 185, anticipating an important lift in cruise tourism transportation by 2047.

To increase inland waterways for freight trade, a Rs. 15,200 crore funding was decided at the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS), organized in Mumbai in October 2023. 

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