BJP welcomes River Cruise MOU between IWAI & JK-UT: GL Raina

River cruising in India may be a new concept, but it is gaining popularity particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off MV Ganga Vilas on the world’s longest river cruise in 2023. It underscored the growing fascination with river cruises in India. River cruise is a unique way of travel to experience life surrounded by nature and exploring riverside towns and cities. Aware of the potential of River Cruises in further developing tourism sector in Jammu Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party welcomes signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the J&K government to introduce luxurious river cruise tourism in the region.

This ambitious project if executed without politics and narrow economic interest can establish Jammu Kashmir as a premier cruise destination for both domestic and international tourists. This was stated by Girdhari Lal Raina, former MLC & spokesperson, J&K BJP.

In a statement issued from Jammu, GL Raina appreciated the constant guidance and push from the union government to expand economy in diverse directions. He added that promotion of Jammu Kashmir as River Cruising destination will have other benefits for the people of UT also like rejuvenation of rivers and making them worth navigation once again.

He however cautioned against complacency by the UT government and highlighted the need to do the ground work in a manner to ensure seamless operation of cruise services.

GL Raina hoped that the UT government will to facilitate required land acquisition, clear all statutory necessities, and also extend desired co-operation to IWAI in completing their part of the obligation. Once project is completed the need to appoint cruise operators to oversee smooth operations across these iconic waterways will have to be ensured for nonexploitative experience of the tourists.