Cruise Bharat Mission: India To Launch 51 River Cruise Circuits By 2027

The government on Monday said it plans to develop 51 new river cruise circuits on 47 national waterways across 14 states and three union territories (UTs) by 2027. With the launch of the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to increase river cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1.5 million, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The mission focuses on upgrading cruise terminals, ports, and related infrastructure, promoting eco-friendly tourism practices using green vessels, and creating numerous employment opportunities in the cruise industry in the coming two years.

The river cruise tourism sector in India has witnessed notable growth, with the number of river cruise voyages on National Waterways increasing from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25. This 19.4 per cent growth underscores the rising appeal and operational efficiency of river cruises in India's inland