In an attempt to boost international tourism, India has announced that it will be investing around INR 600 billion ($7.22 bln) by 2047 in river cruises and the development of green vessels.
"We are going to invest INR 450 billion ($5.4 billion) in a river cruise, which will take the passenger capacity from 200,000 to 1.5 million by 2047. The government aims to invest another INR 150 billion ($1.8 billion) in green transport over the next ten years to develop 1,000 vessels and ferries," said Sarbananda Sonowal, federal ports, shipping, and waterways Minister.
In total, there will be an INR 600 billion ($7.22 billion) investment by 2047, and it will be through the public-private partnership (PPP) model," he added.
Sonowal also said such projects would help generate thousands of jobs.
On Monday, the minister launched Sonowal's “Harit Nauka” guidelines and “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap, 2047” at the inaugural session of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC).
Sharing the roadmap, the minister said they are looking forward to enabling an additional 26 waterways fit for river cruise tourism. The number of cruise circuits with night stays will increase from 17 to 80 by 2047.
"The number of river cruise terminals will be increased up to 185, registering a growth of 1233 percent from the present strength of 15 terminals," reads the release issued by the Ministry.
"Building on the capacity of enhanced circuits, the cruise tourism traffic with night stays will be moved up from 5,000 to 1.20 lakh by 2047”, added the release.