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Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, which will travel a remarkable 3,200 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam. This 51-day journey along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol (IBP) route is a major milestone in the revival of the Brahmaputra waterway, enhancing transportation, tourism, and trade in the Northeast region of India.
The cruise will sail across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh, visiting 50 renowned tourist spots. These include historical sites like Kashi, Bodh Gaya, and Vikramshila, as well as world heritage sites, national parks, river ghats, and major cities such as Patna, Sahibganj, Kolkata, Dhaka, and Guwahati. The journey provides a unique multinational experience, promoting tourism between India and Bangladesh and boosting regional travel to the Northeast.
The operation of the river cruise signifies the growing cooperation between India and Bangladesh, especially in tourism and trade. The IBP route, connecting National Waterway 1 (the Ganga river) and National Waterway 2 (the Brahmaputra river), plays a crucial role in fostering connectivity between the two countries. This development has the potential to deepen economic and cultural ties, benefiting both nations.
Water transport offers a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative to road and rail transport. To ensure the long-term sustainability of cruise and cargo services along the Brahmaputra, the government plans to invest in dredging and apply innovative technologies to combat the heavy sediment loads in these waterways. The Prime Minister highlighted the government's focus on enhancing India's inland waterway infrastructure, noting that the number of national waterways has increased from five in 2014 to 111 today.
The expansion of inland water transport is expected to reduce transportation costs for essential goods to the Northeast, making commodities more affordable for local residents. Ensuring that vessels return with goods produced in the region, such as handloom products and agricultural produce, will enhance the economic viability of these routes. Increased cargo traffic on the Brahmaputra and IBP routes is also expected to open up new markets, particularly for exports to Bangladesh and other parts of India.
The growing trade between Bhutan and Bangladesh has led to more Bhutanese traders using the Brahmaputra waterway and IBP routes for exports. This trend highlights the commercial potential of these waterways, encouraging entrepreneurs in the Northeast to explore new export opportunities. The use of inland water transport can unlock vast markets for goods and commodities produced in the region.
In a further boost to the region's inland water transport potential, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a ship repairing center at Pandu in Assam. This facility will reduce the time and cost of repairs for ships and vessels, which currently need to be sent to Kolkata. The center will increase the availability of ships for both passenger and cargo transport, driving further economic growth and business opportunities in the region.
The Union and state budgets for the Northeast have introduced new schemes and projects aimed at enhancing inland water transport in the region. These initiatives will help unlock the full potential of the Brahmaputra waterway and IBP routes, paving the way for accelerated trade, tourism, and regional development.
The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is expected to reach Dibrugarh on March 1, 2024, delivering a powerful message about the viability of the Brahmaputra waterway. It signals the time to fully unlock the waterway’s potential for the benefit of trade, tourism, and economic development in the Northeast region.