Cruise Bharat Mission to set sail: India plans 51 circuits across 14 states by 2027

India is setting sail towards a new era of river-based tourism under the Cruise Bharat Mission, which aims to launch 51 new river cruise circuits across 14 states and three Union Territories by 2027. Designed to transform the country’s inland waterways into thriving tourism hubs, the initiative is a key part of India’s push to become a global leader in luxury and sustainable cruise travel.

What’s Cruise Bharat Mission?

The Cruise Bharat Mission is the Centre’s flagship initiative to tap into the untapped tourism potential of India’s 47 national waterways. By developing cruise routes across rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Yamuna and Narmada, the government aims to boost regional economies, generate employment and promote eco-friendly tourism.

Is global cruise giant Viking entering Indian waters?

Yes. A major milestone under the mission is Viking Cruises—a globally renowned luxury cruise operator—announcing its entry into the Indian market. The company plans to launch the Viking Brahmaputra, a high-end 80-guest river cruise vessel, by late 2027. The ship will be built indigenously by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata and will operate on National Waterway-2, sailing through Assam’s majestic Brahmaputra River.

This move is seen as a strong signal of international investor confidence in India’s emerging river cruise sector.

How fast is India’s river cruise industry growing?

The sector has witnessed rapid growth over the past decade. From just five cruise vessels operating on three national waterways in 2013-14, the numbers have increased to 25 vessels across 13 waterways by 2024-25.

The number of river cruise voyages also rose sharply—from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25, marking a 19.4% growth in just one year. This expansion is backed by policy support, increased public-private partnerships and robust infrastructure development led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI).

Where are new cruise terminals being built?

To support the surge in cruise tourism, IWAI is developing dedicated terminals in cities such as Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata and Guwahati. Additional terminals are in the pipeline at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat and Guijan, with a special focus on enhancing connectivity in the Northeast.

Which river routes are gaining popularity?

Cruise tourism circuits through the Sundarbans in West Bengal, the Brahmaputra in Assam and Kerala’s backwaters have become popular among both domestic and foreign tourists. These regions offer a unique blend of natural beauty, biodiversity and cultural heritage, making them ideal for river cruising.

What’s India’s most iconic river cruise so far?

The sector’s biggest success story so far is the MV Ganga Vilas, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023. Covering 3,200 km across five Indian states and Bangladesh, it holds the distinction of being the world’s longest river cruise and was recently featured in the Limca Book of Records.

What’s the government’s vision for the future?

The Union government aims to triple the annual river cruise footfall—from 0.5 million to 1.5 million passengers—over the next few years. IWAI has already signed MoUs with states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi to develop cruise circuits on rivers such as the Yamuna and Narmada.

With rich cultural offerings, growing infrastructure and global collaborations, India is charting a bold new course in river cruise tourism—turning its waterways into corridors of economic growth, ecological harmony and world-class travel experiences.