MP explores cruising options, feasibility study underway
Indore: Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) is mulling over starting short and medium distance crusing excursions for tourists in the backwaters at potential locations in the state for which a feasibility study has been initiated.
The short and medium distance cruising excursions will be part of the proposed 120 km cruise expedition on the Narmada River that will traverse from Ekatma Dham (the Statue of Oneness) situated at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh to the
Statue of Unity
in Kevadiya, Gujarat.
As per the initial proposal, a 2 night crusing excursion is being planned from Kukshi to Sardar Sarovar while day cruising is planned for about 45 minutes in and around Kukshi in Dhar district.
The board has initiated a feasibility study to evaluate short and medium distance cruise operations in the backwaters of Gandhisagar, Rajghat (Chanderi), Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar, Tawa and Bargi dams. Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Principal Secretary of Tourism and Culture, said we are doing feasibility study for short and medium distance cruise operations in the backwaters of Gandhisagar, Rajghat (Chanderi), Omkareshwar, Indira Sagar, Tawa and Bargi dams.
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The board is mulling over various cruising excursions for visitors following guidelines of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, which was enacted in India to revise the registration and regulation of vessels operating in inland waterways.
Commander Rajendra Nigam (retd), Adviser Water Tourism, MPTDC said excursions are being planned following the guidelines of the Inland Vessels Act (INVA) 2021.
The cruise operations will be conducted on a Public-Private Partnerships mode for which the board has received around 3-4 expressions of interest.
For the project, a total of four terminals will be established along the 120 km route of which two terminals will be constructed in MP at Kukshi and Sakarja in Alirajpur district, and the other two terminals shall be established at Hanfeshwar and Mokhadi in Gujarat.
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