The Gujarat government has announced plans to launch a 600-passenger luxury cruise on the Narmada River near the Statue of Unity, a move aimed at enhancing visitor experience and promoting river tourism at Ekta Nagar in Narmada district.
The cruise, one of the largest of its kind in the region, will begin commercial operations after securing all statutory approvals and meeting prescribed safety requirements, according to an official release.
The Statue of Unity, home to the world’s tallest statue, already operates a 200-passenger cruise service that offers panoramic views of the monument, the Narmada River and the surrounding landscape. The new vessel has been introduced in response to growing tourist footfall and increasing demand for river-based experiences.
Designed as a multi-purpose floating venue, the cruise will cater to sightseeing as well as social, cultural and corporate events. It is equipped to host corporate gatherings, product launches, cultural performances, musical evenings, private celebrations, destination weddings and other special events.
The vessel features decorative architectural lighting for evening operations, a dining area with a seating capacity of 250 guests and a dedicated 5×4-metre performance stage.
Measuring 30 metres in length and 12 metres in width, the new cruise can accommodate up to 600 passengers, representing a significant expansion over the existing 24-metre-long vessel, which has a capacity of 200 passengers, a dining area for 100 guests and a 4×3-metre performance stage.
According to the release, the larger capacity, enhanced event infrastructure and upgraded onboard facilities are expected to enable the hosting of large-scale events while offering visitors a premium river cruising experience.
The Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA) said it continues to develop world-class tourism infrastructure to strengthen Ekta Nagar’s position as one of India’s leading tourism destinations. The addition of the new cruise is expected to diversify visitor experiences while creating opportunities for destination weddings, corporate events, cultural programmes and private celebrations.
The initiative is also expected to boost tourism in Gujarat, generate local employment, stimulate economic activity and further establish Ekta Nagar as a globally competitive tourism destination, the release added.
(With inputs from ANI)
