Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board signed an agreement with the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Government of Gujarat to boost Cruise Tourism.
The cruise on the Narmada River will cover a journey of 120 km. To boost cruise tourism in Madhya Pradesh, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Government of Gujarat.
Two floating jetties (pontoons) from Kolkata have been sent to Kukshi in the state under this MoU. This will be used as a terminal for a pontoon cruise. M.P. Cruise tourism initiative is being taken by the Tourism Board with the aim of promoting tourism in the state.
The cruise is proposed to be operated from Ekatma Dham (Statue of Oneness) located at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh to the Statue of Unity located at Kevadiya, Gujarat. According to the MOU signed at the head office of the authority in Noida, IWAI will provide two floating jetties each to Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, out of which this jetty has been delivered to Madhya Pradesh.
With the agreement, the movement of cruise ships on the Narmada River between MP and Gujarat will be ensured without any hindrance. This contract was signed by IWAI Chairman Shri Vijay Kumar the Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture Department and the Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Sheo Shekhar Shukla. During this, the Managing Director of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Mukesh Puri (IAS) (Retd.), Udit Agarwal, Joint Managing Director, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited were specially present.
Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla said that a total of 120 km of routes have been marked from the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya to Chandankhedi, Kukshi. From Kukshi, tourists will be taken by road to the Statue of Oneness located at Omkareshwar. On the way, they will also be taken to visit Maheshwar, Mandleshwar and Mandu.
For this, four jetties will be established. Two will be established at Chandankhedi-Kukshi, and Sakarja-Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh and two at Hanfeshwar-Chota Udaipur and Statue of Unity-Kevadiya in Gujarat. Necessary infrastructure and other facilities for cruise tourism will be developed by the state government. There will be economic development in the said area and widespread benefits will reach the local community.
Tourists will get new experiences
Tourism Board’s Additional Managing Director Bidisha Mukherjee said that under the guidance of Principal Secretary Shukla, innovations are being made to promote tourism in the state. Under this, cruise tourism is being started. Cruise tourism will not only give new wings to tourism but will also give tourists an opportunity to enjoy the local culture, traditions, lifestyle and cuisine. An adventurous and comfortable journey will take place amidst the picturesque landscapes of the Narmada River.
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