Modi flags off world's longest river cruise MI Ganga Vilas from Varanasi to Dibrugarh

The 51-day cruise, being pitched as the world’s longest river cruise, is expected to reach its final destination — Dibrugarh in Assam — on March 1

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off world's longest river cruise MI Ganga Vilas from Varanasi to Dibrugarh which would traverse through three rivers, including the one in Bangladesh, before reaching its destination in 51 days.

The vessel would cover 3200 kilometres during its 51-day journey and pass through 27 river systems besides touching around 50 tourist spots and cities, including Patna, Kolkata, Dhaka and Guwahati.

''Those who earlier went to foreign countries to enjoy river cruises can now enjoy it in India....we are encouraging cruise tourism.... it will give the foreign tourists an opportunity to see the country and experience its diversity,'' Modi said before flagging off the cruise.
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The cruise, which had five star facilities and had a capacity to house 36 tourists, began its first journey with 32 tourists from Switzerland on Friday. Ten tourists would get down at Kolkata while the same number would board the cruise from there for its onward journey, the officials associated with the cruise said in Varanasi.

The tourists would be served 'desi' cuisines, including Varanasi's famous 'jalebi (a sweet)-kachori', Bihar's popular dish 'bati-chokha' besides Idli and sambar during their trip. MI Ganga Vilas had three decks, 18 suites and a gym, restaurant, salon and other amenities.

The cost of travelling on the cruise per day was Rs 25 thousand while a 51-day cruise would cost Rs 20 lakh per passenger. The vessel would be traversing through the Sundarbans and Kaziranga National Park.

The officials said that the vessel had an RO plant and STP to make sure that there was no pollution in the river. Besides, plastic would not be used in the voyage, they added.