Cruise Tourism Boost: India is actively promoting cruise tourism through initiatives like the Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM) and Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) to become a global cruise hub.
India’s Advantages: India possesses a 7,500 km coastline, 12 major and 200 minor ports, ~20,000 km of navigable waterways, and over 1,300 islands.
Cruise Bharat Mission (CBM): Launched in 2024, CBM aims to double cruise passenger traffic by 2029, targeting 1 million passengers.
Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030): Aims for 8x growth in the cruise market over the next decade, focusing on oceanic, coastal, island, and inland cruise development.
River Cruise Focus: IWAI is developing infrastructure and heritage circuits along rivers like the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Kerala backwaters, promoting transnational cruises.
Recent Developments:
Yamuna (Delhi): MoU for eco-friendly cruise development on NW-110 using electric-solar hybrid boats.
Jammu & Kashmir: MoU for cruise development on Chenab (NW-26), Jhelum (NW-49), and Ravi (NW-84).
