MV Ganga Vilas & Tent City Inaugurated by PM Modi at Varanasi

MV Ganga Vilas UPSC Relevance

MV Ganga Vilas is the world’s longest river cruise which was recently launched by the Indian PM Modi. MV Ganga Vilas is also important for UPSC Prelims 2023 and UPSC Mains Exam (GS Paper 2- Various Government Schemes and Initiatives in various sectors)

MV Ganga Vilas in News

• Recently, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi flagged off World’s Longest River Cruise-MV Ganga Vilas and inaugurated Tent City at Varanasi on 13th January.
• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest river cruise is a unique opportunity to connect with our cultural roots and discover beautiful aspects of India’s diversity.

What is MV Ganga Vilas Cruise?

• Distance Covered: MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.
• Features: MV Ganga Vilas has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the luxury amenities.
  • The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.
  • The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world.
• Tourist Places Covered: The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including-
  • World Heritage Sites,
  • National Parks, River Ghats, and
  • Major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam.
• Significance: The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh.
  • In line with PM’s endeavour to boost river cruise tourism, the huge untapped potential of river cruise will get unlocked with the launch of this service and it will herald a new age of river cruise tourism for India.

Tent City at Varanasi

• About: Tent City has been conceptualised on the banks of River Ganga to tap the potential of tourism in the region.
• Location: The project has been developed opposite to city ghats which will provide accommodation facilities and cater to the increased tourists influx in Varanasi, especially since the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham.
• Developing Authority: Tent City has been developed by Varanasi Development Authority in PPP mode.
• Operationalization: The tent city will be operational from October to June every year and will be dismantled for three months due to rise in river water level in the rainy season.
  • The tourists will reach the Tent City by boats from different Ghats situated in the vicinity.

 

MV Ganga Vilas Cruise FAQs

1. What is MV Ganga Vilas Cruise?

Ans. Ganga Vilas cruise is the world’s longest river cruise. MV Ganga Vilas Cruise is a unique opportunity to connect with our cultural roots and discover beautiful aspects of India’s diversity.

2. What tourist places will be covered under MV Ganga Vilas Cruise Journey?

Ans. The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, River Ghats, and Major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam.

3. What is the Tent City being developed in Varanasi?

Ans. Tent City has been conceptualised on the banks of River Ganga to tap the potential of tourism in the region.

4. Who has developed the Tent City at Varanasi?

Ans. Tent City has been developed by Varanasi Development Authority in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

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