Bhubaneswar: The Centre has announced plans to develop 4 river cruise circuits in Odisha under Cruise Bharat Mission.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal informed tha
t the initiative aims to tap Odisha’s vast riverine and coastal potential for tourism. The four circuits are Bhitarkanika (NW-14), Jobra (NW-64), Lalitgiri-Udaygiri-Ratnagiri (NW-22), and Balasore Hidden Beach (NW-23).
The ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ was launched on September 30, 2024, from the Mumbai port. Aimed at boosting the tremendous potential of cruise tourism in the country, the programme aims to propel the cruise tourism industry by doubling the passenger traffic by 2029.
In March, the Centre had informed about developing six inland waterways in Odisha through the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) for both cargo and river cruise tourism.
The six declared National Waterways (NWs) are Brahmani & Mahanadi Delta & East Coast Canal (NW-5), Baitarani River (NW-14), Birupa River-Badi Genguti-Brahamani River System (NW-22), Buddha Balanga River (NW-23), Mahanadi River (NW-64) and Subarnarekha River (NW-96). These were found feasible for cargo and passenger movement based on the Techno-Economic Feasibility Study and Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the National Waterways.