Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 21: In a significant boost to inland tourism, the Indian government has unveiled plans to develop 51 new river cruise circuits across 47 national waterways by 2027, spanning 14 states and three union territories. This initiative is part of the newly launched Cruise Bharat Mission, aimed at tripling the number of river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the mission will focus on enhancing infrastructure at cruise terminals and ports, promoting green and sustainable tourism through eco-friendly vessels, and generating large-scale employment in the cruise sector over the next two years.
River cruise tourism has seen steady growth in recent years. The number of voyages on national waterways rose from 371 in 2023–24 to 443 in 2024–25—a 19.4% increase, reflecting growing public interest and operational capacity.
International interest is also rising. Luxury operator Viking Cruises announced plans to enter the Indian market with Viking Brahmaputra, a new 80-guest vessel to be indigenously built by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata and launched in late 2027. It will operate on National Waterway-2, which covers the Brahmaputra River.
Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and the leadership of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is playing a key role in transforming river cruise tourism and inland water transport into a sustainable, high-growth sector.
The scale of river cruising in India has expanded dramatically over the past decade. From just five vessels across three waterways in 2013–14, the sector now boasts 25 vessels operating on 13 national waterways as of 2024–25.
To further accelerate growth, IWAI has signed MoUs with several state governments. These include:
• Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh: Cruise tourism on the Narmada
• Delhi: Cruise and ferry services on the Yamuna
• Jammu & Kashmir: Sustainable tourism on the Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab
Additionally, cruise terminals are being developed on major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra, with new facilities planned in Varanasi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Patna. The northeast will see further development with terminals proposed at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan by 2027.