VARANASI: Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi flagged off the MV Ganga Vilas from a special river port in Varanasi. While the prime minister joined the event virtually, Several important ministers including the Union Minster for the department of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath were present for the flag-off at around 11 AM of Friday.
The prime minister also laid the foundation of the Maritime Skill Development Center and Ship Repairing Yard in Guwahati. These projects will help not only help to achieve faster services via waterways but also generate a huge potential of technically trained individuals to suit the new sector. Several new ports and other waterways-based projects were introduced by the prime minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonwal mentioned that it is an important day for the development of waterways across the country. The former Chief Minister of Assam mentioned that the Ganga Vilas Cruise will encourage the creation of tourism resources across the nation. The new maritime skill development centre will help the youth of the region.
Narendra Modi mentioned that this project will encourage development in multiple states of the country. "This will encourage more and more foreign tourists to learn about the rich heritage of India while supporting the local entrepreneurs. It will also enable more trade and commerce on these waterways across the country, " said the PM. He also wished the tourists and the officials a grand success of this project while flagging off the cruise.
This 51-day cruise will pass through five states of the country, namely Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Assam. It passes through 25 separate rivers, riverine and river systems in the central and eastern parts of the country while touching the capital of neighbouring Bangladesh. The prime minister mentioned that this cruise will allow the tourists to enjoy the ancient culture of the country while taking into account modern amenities.
The cruise has several foreign tourists on board who expressed their happiness to be a part of this landmark project in the country.
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