PM Modi flags off world’s longest river-cruise MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi
14 Jan 2023 09:38:03
NEW DELHI,
PRIME Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world’s longest river Cruise, MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi via video conferencing on Friday. Highlighting the country’s development strides and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India cannot be defined in words and can only be experienced from the heart.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world’s longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi via video conferencing on Friday. He also inaugurated the Tent City at Varanasi and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore. Addressing the ceremony via video conferencing, PM Modi said, “This is the decade of transforming India’s infrastructure. India has everything that one can imagine. It also has a lot beyond your imagination. India cannot be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India it always opened her heart for everyone, irrespective of region or religion, creed or country.”
He said the beginning of the world’s longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment. It will herald a new age of tourism in India. “Wherever the cruise passes through, it will create a new line of development. Today, foundation stones have been laid for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1000 crores. This will expand trade and tourism and employment opportunities in eastern India,” Prime Minister said. PM said Ganga is not just a stream for the people of the country but is the symbol of India’s penance.
PM Modi said the commencement of MV Ganga Vilas river cruise which will sail over 3,200 km is a living example of the development of inland waterways in the country. He said work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States. An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways told ANI that the world’s longest River Cruise MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India.
MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.
MV Ganga Vilas has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.