Pathbreaking: Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on MV Ganga Vilas's epic voyage

DIBRUGARH: The world's longest river cruise "MV Ganga Vilas" on Tuesday reached Dibrugarh, concluding its 50-day river expedition that began from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on January 13.
Welcoming "MV Ganga Vilas" at its culminating destination in Dibrugarh, Sarbananda Sonowal, minister for ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) hailed it as a historic and path-breaking event to be witnessed in the inland waterways sector since India's Independence 75 years ago.
MV Ganga Vilas arrived at Bogibeel at 2.30pm on Tuesday as the dignitaries led by Sarbananda Sonowal accorded a warm welcome to all the 28 foreign tourists travelling onboard. With the successful end of its maiden journey covering a distance of over 3,200 km, the MV Ganga Vilas opens up a new vista of opportunity in the river tourism potential in the entire South Asia region.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off MV Ganga Vilas - the first indigenously made cruise vessel in India - from Varanasi on January 13.
Speaking on the historic moment, Sonowal said, "The successful completion of the world's longest river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, has exemplified how India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is ready to explore newer horizons to unlock value for the country. The robustness of the ship during the course of this journey shows how our tremendous strength in ship building capacity is a world-class enterprise. We continue to work under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi towards achieving Maritime India Vision, 2030; Sagarmal by 2035 along with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and National Logistics Policy. Today, we have realised another milestone to unlock tremendous potential in blue economy of India."
Speaking on the boost to the river economy in the northeast region, Sonowal said, "Our glorious history of riverine trade is set to be reclaimed with the successful completion of the world's longest river cruise here today." Shripad Yesso Naik, the Union minister of state for ports, shipping & waterways and tourism, said, "The success of MV Ganga Vilas in completing world longest river cruise establish the commitment of the Modi government to renew possibilities for holistic development."