AIR Spotlight: Ganga Vilas - World's Longest River Cruise

The All India Radio News features a daily program called AIR Spotlight, where distinguished panel members discuss various significant issues. These discussions can serve as valuable resources for those preparing for the IAS exam .

Today, we delve into the fascinating world of Ganga Vilas, the world's most extended river cruise.

Discussion Participants:

1. Anita Anand, AIR Correspondent
2. Sanjay Bandhopadhyay, Chairman, Inland Waterways Authority of India

Unveiling Ganga Vilas:

Image source: https://zeenews.india.com/

• Ganga Vilas is the world's longest river cruise, offering a 51-day journey of exploration and relaxation.
• The cruise embarks from Kolkata and sets sail towards the Ramnagar Port in Varanasi.
• The Ganga Vilas cruise has been constructed with a unique design and a futuristic vision, covering prominent destinations from Kolkata's River Hooghly to Varanasi's River Ganges.
• The luxurious triple-deck cruise will travel on the world's longest waterway from Varanasi to Dibrugarh in Assam, accommodating 80 passengers with 18 suites.
• The vessel has been designed and built in Kolkata, India, promoting the Make in India initiative.
• This cruise aims to popularize India's waterways system, offering a unique and luxurious travel experience.

The Journey:

• The cruise will embark on a 51-day adventure, including a 15-day voyage through Bangladesh, before heading towards Dibrugarh via the Brahmaputra river in Assam.
• Covering more than 3,200 km, the luxury cruise will traverse 5 states in India and Bangladesh, passing through 27 river systems.
• The itinerary includes visits to 50 tourist spots, including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like Patna, Sahibganj, Kolkata, Dhaka, and Guwahati.