Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday waved off the world's largest river cruise, Ganga Vilas, via a video conference.
"This is a landmark moment," Modi said, adding that "the project will herald a new age of tourism in India."
Addressing foreign tourists who have booked places on the maiden voyage of the cruise on Friday, the Prime Minister said that "India can't be defined in words, it can only be experienced from the heart".
The MV Ganga Vilas will set off on a 51-day cruise from Varanasi on the river Ganges in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in the state of Assam through five Indian states and Bangladesh. There are 32 Swiss nationals on board.
The cruise is going to visit 50 tourist spots, including World Heritage spots and national parks. With 18 suites and room for 36 tourists, there are plenty of luxuries aboard, including French balconies and LED TVs.
Uttar Pradesh state chief Yogi Adityanath called the launch the beginning of a new era. "This is a big day for the people of Varanasi," Adityanath said.