India (Commonwealth Union)_ India plans to significantly boost its river cruise tourism by 2027, with 51 new cruise circuits that are underway across 14 states and three Union Territories. This ambitious project, one of the major initiatives of the government’s Cruise Bharat Mission, aims to revolutionize the nation’s vast network of inland waterways and transform them into thriving tourism attractions. As a result, India’s river cruise tourism industry is booming rapidly due to favorable legislation, enhanced infrastructure, and rising global demand. As such, the number of cruises operating on national waterways increased from the previous year’s 371 to 443 in fiscal year 2024-2025, which is up nearly 20%. According to reports, the country’s demand for water-based tourism is increasing.
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Consequently, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is spearheading this initiative. Its goal is to position India as a major player in the global river cruising market by building out cruise-friendly waterways and attracting international operators. One notable milestone is Viking Cruises’ entry into India. The Viking Brahmaputra, a luxury river vessel with a capacity of 80 guests, will be launched. The ship will be built in Kolkata by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited and is scheduled to begin sailing on the Brahmaputra River (National Waterway-2) in late 2027. Additionally, the project signals growing international confidence in India’s cruise potential.
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A decade ago, only five cruise ships navigated three waterways. Today, that number has increased to 25 ships traveling 13 national waterways. Accordingly, major circuits like the Sundarbans in West Bengal, the Brahmaputra in Assam, and Kerala‘s backwaters attract a growing number of local and international visitors every year. For example, the legendary MV Ganga Vilas expedition, which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, still remains a major progress in this mission. The Limca Book of Records recognizes it as the world’s longest river voyage, covering 3,200 kilometers across five Indian states and Bangladesh.
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To maintain the momentum, the IWAI is collaborating closely with several state governments. New agreements have been inked with Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Jammu & Kashmir to encourage river cruising along the Yamuna, Narmada, Jhelum, Ravi, and Chenab rivers. Additionally, major new cruise terminals are also proposed for Varanasi, Patna, Guwahati, and Kolkata, with another four in the Northeast. With a goal of tripling cruise passenger numbers to 1.5 million, India’s river tourism sector is on a promising path, combining sustainability, history, and economic potential.
