Lucknow, Nov 2 (IANS): If all goes well, people could enjoying a cruise on the Gomti river, which flows right in the middle of Uttar Pradesh's capital city of Lucknow, from February next year, an official said on Wednesday.

The ambitious project has been mooted by the state tourism department, which will integrate it with the larger project of Gomti Riverfront Development that is already underway.

The official said the proposal has already been sent to the state government and the nod is likely to come anytime now.

"We have been encouraged by the favourable view of the state government and as soon as clearances are done, we will float the tender for purchase of new cruise boats," an official told IANS.

The proposal includes three cruises on the Gomti river. One would be 36-seater and the other two would have a capacity of 22 each.

The boats will be available for regular bookings and also for celebrations like birthdays, weddings and other get-togethers.

The Rajkiya Nirman Nigam (RNN) expects the cost of the project to be around Rs 22 crore.

A senior tourism official informed that other than the joy of cruise, there would also be 'informative sessions' on board, apprising people of the culture and heritage of the land of nawabs.

Avadhi cuisine is likely to be introduced for the passengers. Local tours are likely to start from the 'Nadiya Kinare lawns' and the long cruise would go from the 'Puuca Pul' to the Gomti barrage, a stretch of few kilometres.

The ambitious riverfront project of the state government is nearing completion at some points.