India’s Cruise Bharat Mission to Revolutionize Inland Tourism with Fifty One New River Cruise Routes, Expanding Capacity to Over One Million Passengers by 2027

The Indian government has taken an ambitious effort to transform its inland tourism industry. During the Cruise Bharat Mission, it has been proposed to develop 51 new river cruise circuit routes in 47 waterways in the nation by 2027. The ambitious project, which will cover 14 states and three union territories, seeks to elevate the number of the country’s river cruise passengers from 5 lakh to 15 lakh in the next few years.

The Cruise Bharat Mission is focused on enhancing infrastructure at cruise terminals and ports, promoting eco-friendly and sustainable tourism through green vessels, and creating a wealth of employment opportunities within the cruise sector. The initiative is expected to provide a considerable boost to the country’s economy, promote environmental responsibility, and create jobs in the tourism and transportation industries.

India’s river cruise industry has seen significant expansion in recent years. The number of river cruises rose from 371 voyages in 2023–24 to 443 in 2024–25, reflecting a 19.4% increase. This growth underscores a rising demand for river cruises as a popular and attractive tourism option, supported by improvements in operational capacity and enhanced services along the nation’s national waterways.

The international interest in India’s river cruise sector is also on the rise. One notable development is the plan by Viking Cruises to enter the Indian market. The luxury operator is set to introduce the Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel, which will be built indigenously at the Hooghly Cochin Shipyard in Kolkata. This vessel, slated for launch in late 2027, will operate on National Waterway-2, which encompasses the Brahmaputra River, and is expected to attract both international tourists and domestic travelers looking for premium experiences along India’s waterways.

The river cruise and inland water transport industries are experiencing rapid growth, driven by a strong focus on sustainability and long-term expansion. The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), responsible for managing and regulating national waterways, is at the forefront of this transformation. Through its efforts to upgrade infrastructure, encourage the use of eco-friendly vessels, and ensure the sustainable management of waterway resources, IWAI is playing a key role in ensuring the success of this initiative.

Over the past decade, the river cruise industry in India has experienced remarkable development. In the 2013–14 fiscal year, there were only five vessels operating across three waterways. By 2024–25, the number of vessels had increased to 25, operating across 13 national waterways, signaling the industry’s rapid growth. This expansion has been instrumental in positioning India as an emerging hub for river cruise tourism.

To accelerate growth, the IWAI has entered into several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with state governments to further develop cruise tourism in various regions. These collaborations are set to improve tourism infrastructure and promote sustainable tourism practices:

In addition to the MoUs, the development of new cruise terminals is underway at key locations along major rivers like the Ganga and Brahmaputra. New terminal facilities will be established in Varanasi, Guwahati, Kolkata, and Patna, among others. The northeastern states will also see further development with planned terminals in Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan, expected to be operational by 2027. These developments will create better infrastructure for passengers, improve accessibility, and enhance the overall travel experience.