PM Modi flags off Ganga Vilas, inaugurates Tent City in Varanasi: 'will herald new age of tourism…'

During the event, the prime minister also laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth over ₹1000 crores.

Published on: Jan 13, 2023, 11:03:33 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off MV Ganga Vilas, the world's longest river Cruise, and inaugurated Tent City in Varanasi via video conferencing. During the event, the prime minister also laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth over ₹1000 crores. Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, besides other ministers and senior officials from various ministries and departments were present at the event. (All you need to know about Ganga Vilas cruise)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flags off MV Ganga Vilas via video conferencing.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the beginning of the world's longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment, asserting that the project will herald a new age of tourism in India.

“I want to tell passengers onboard river cruise liner MV Ganga Vilas that India has everything you can imagine. It also has lot beyond your imagination. India can't be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart. Because India has opened her heart for everyone, irrespective of region or religion, creed or country” he said.

Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav assured Prime Minister Modi that the state government provide all possible help to facilitate a smooth journey for the tourists onboard MV Ganga Vilas. He said the tourists onbaord the river cruise, which will pass through Buxar, Chhapra, Patna, Munger, Sultanganj and Kahalgaon, will be accorded a traditional welcome at each port and taken to visit historical places.

Yogi Adityanath said that the tourists visited Varanasi and nearby places and experienced the culture in the last three days.

Traversing 3,200km through five states in India and parts of Bangladesh over 51 days, MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and reach Dibrugarh in Assam. With 18 suites and a capacity of 36 tourists, the cruise boasts of luxury amenities like French balconies, LED TVs, safes, smoke detectors, and convertible beds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.