World’s longest river cruise ‘Ganga Vilas’ reaches Patna, berths at Mitan Ghat

The world’s longest river cruise, Ganga Vilas, has arrived in Patna from Kolkata and has been berthed at Mitan Ghat on the river Ganga, drawing considerable public attention as residents gathered to witness and photograph the iconic vessel.

Built in India and inaugurated by the Prime Minister at Varanasi on January 13, 2023, Ganga Vilas is a landmark initiative aimed at promoting river cruise tourism and showcasing the cultural and natural heritage along India’s inland waterways.

According to Arvind Kumar, Director, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Patna, a group of 14 international tourists will board the cruise from Patna. The vessel is scheduled to commence its onward journey to Kolkata on December 31, navigating through National Waterway-1 on the Ganga, which has been developed to support large-scale inland water transport and tourism.

During the voyage, passengers will be taken on guided excursions to prominent cultural, historical and natural destinations along the river route, offering a unique immersive experience of India’s riverine heritage.

Designed with amenities comparable to a five-star hotel, Ganga Vilas can accommodate up to 36 tourists. The cruise undertakes a river journey of nearly 3,200 kilometres, traversing Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam, and further passing through Bangladesh via international waterways before concluding its journey at Dibrugarh.

The arrival of Ganga Vilas in Patna marks another milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen inland waterway tourism and position river cruises as a premium and sustainable travel option.