Heritage cruise on river Ganga starts in Kolkata

Kolkata: A cruise service showcasing the cultural and religious diversity of West Bengal along the river Ganga from Kolkata to Murshidabad, was launched today.

“This is part of the effort of the West Bengal government to showcase Bengal as a tourism destination and develop it as a hub for travel to northeast. More such services will be initiated in the coming months,” state transport secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay told reporters.

Government is also keen to start river cruise services to Bangladesh from Kolkata as soon as the central government gives permission, Bandopadhyay added.

“Many have shown interest in starting river cruise service from Kolkata to Dhaka. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had told this to union shipping minister in a meeting where it was learnt that they are already considering it and the matter is now with the external affairs ministry,” he added.

Offering three trips a month, the cruise from Kolkata to Murshidabad, in the high-end liner MV Ganges Voyager built by Heritage River Journeys, has 28 rooms along with lounges, dining rooms, conference facilities, company’s director Vishnu Singh said.

Their first halt would be at Bandel where the Portuguese had once settled. In the small Metiyari village tourists will be able to see how rural artisans make copper and brass pots. The stopover at Kalna in Burdwan district has old temples and the rustic feel of rural Bengal.

Khusbag has the graveyard of Nawab Siraj-Ud-Doullah while other stops would be the holy town of Mayapur, the famous Hazarduari palace, Baranagar, Chuchura Imambara and former French colony of Chandannagar.

“There is a huge amount of cultural and religious diversity all along this route. The response has been very good especially from foreigners and we have full bookings for the next 3-4 years. We are also exploring other routes with the government,” Singh said. Those on cruise would also get a first-hand experience of life along the banks of the river.

“So many rituals are performed in the river. This would also be very interesting for tourists from outside especially foreigners,” he said

“Bengal has a huge potential for developing as a tourist destination. The government is working on various proposals to ensure smooth movement of tourist through all destinations. Places like Shantiniketan, Darjeeling and the tea gardens are being developed,” said another official.