"India has lot beyond your imagination": PM welcomes foreign tourists as he flags off cruise

The dawn of cruise tourism will further generate employment for our #YuvaShakti and boost India's economy, noted PM Modi.

Varanasi, Jan 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off the World's Longest River Cruise-MV Ganga Vilas, heralding a new age of tourism in India.

"The beginning of the world's longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment. It will herald a new age of tourism in India," PM Modi said.

"Ganga is not just a river to us. It is a witness to India's glorious history. With a new approach, we began the cleanliness drive of Namami Gange," he added.

"I have a message for all foreign visitors, 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," PM Modi said.

"The dawn of cruise tourism will further generate employment for our #YuvaShakti and boost India's economy," PM Modi said.

"With India's ever-increasing role in the global economy, people around the world are curious to learn more about India and it's history," the prime minister remarked.

Listing out the infrastructure boost in the region, PM Modi said "Today the roads of my Kashi are widening, the ghats of Ganga ji are getting clean, and after the construction of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, unprecedented enthusiasm is visible among the devotees."

Observing that the cruise will pass through 25 different river streams, the Prime Minister said that this cruise has significant importance for those who have a keen interest in understanding the river systems of India. He also mentioned that it is a golden opportunity for those who want to explore the myriad culinary and cuisines of India. "One can witness the extraordinary amalgamation of the heritage of India and its modernity on this cruise", the Prime Minister remarked as he shed light on the new era of cruise tourism where new employment opportunities will be created for the youth of the country.

"Not just foreign tourists but Indians who traveled to different nations for such an experience can head towards North India now", the Prime Minister said. He also informed that similar experiences are being readied in other inland waterways of the country to give a boost to cruise tourism while keeping in mind the budget as well as the luxury experience.

"Before 2014, the use of waterways was very limited. We have made efforts to integrate waterways in India's modern infrastructure development," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister also mentioned that India is entering into a robust phase of tourism as with a growing global profile, curiosity about India is also increasing. That is why, said the Prime Minister, in the last 8 years various steps were taken to expand the tourism sector in the country. Places of faith were developed on priority and Kashi is a live example of such efforts. With improved facilities and the rejuvenation of Kashi Vishvanath Dham, Kashi has seen a huge increase in the number of visiting devotees. This has given a massive boost to the local economy. The New Tent City, infused with modernity, spirituality and faith, will provide a novel experience to the tourists.

The Prime Minister said that today's event is a reflection of the policies, decisions and direction taken after 2014 in the country. "This decade of the 21st century is a decade of infrastructure transformation in India. India is witnessing a level of infrastructure which was unimaginable a few years ago."

He said from Social infrastructure like houses, toilets, hospitals, electricity, water, cooking gas, educational institutes to digital infrastructure to physical connectivity infrastructure like railways, waterways, airways and roads, all these are strong indicators of the rapid growth of India. In all the fields India is seeing the best and biggest, he pointed out.

The Prime Minister underlined the low usage of river waterways in India before 2014 despite the rich history in this mode of transport in the country. Post 2014, India is harnessing this ancient strength to the cause of modern India. There is a new law and detailed action plan for developing waterways in big rivers of the country.

The Prime Minister informed that in 2014 only 5 national waterways were there in the country, now there are 111 national waterways in the country and about two dozen are in operation already. Similarly, there has been a 3 times increase in cargo transportation via river waterways from 30 lakh metric tonnes 8 years ago.

Coming back to the theme of development of eastern India, the Prime Minister said that today's events will help in making eastern India a growth engine for Developed India. This connects Haldia multimodal terminal with Varanasi and is also connected with India Bangladesh protocol route and Northeast. This also connects Kolkata port and Bangladesh. This will facilitate business from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal to Bangladesh.

Emphasising the need for training of the staff and skilled workforce, the Prime Minister informed that a Skill Development Center has been set up in Guwahati and a new facility is also being constructed in Guwahati for the repairing of ships.

"Be it a cruise ship or a cargo ship, they not only give a boost to transport and tourism, but the entire industry associated with their service also creates new opportunities", the Prime Minister said.

Referring to a study conducted, the Prime Minister informed that waterways are not just beneficial to the environment but also help in saving money. He said that the cost of operating waterways is two and a half times lesser than that of roadways, and one-third lesser when compared to railways. The Prime Minister also touched upon the National Logistics Policy and said that India has the potential to develop a waterway network of thousands of kilometres.

He also emphasised that India has more than 125 rivers and river streams which can be developed to transport goods and ferry people while also giving impetus to further expanding port-led development. He emphasised the need to build a modern multi-modal network of waterways and informed about the partnerships with Bangladesh and other countries which have strengthened the water connectivity in the Northeast.