India’s River Cruises Set for Big Expansion by 2027

India’s river cruise tourism is on a steady upswing, with a 19.4 per cent increase in river cruise voyages this year. According to data from the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), voyages on National Waterways have grown from 371 in 2023–24 to 443 in 2024–25, highlighting the sector’s rising popularity and improved operational efficiency.

A major boost comes with the announcement by global cruise giant Viking Cruises, which is all set to enter the Indian market with the Viking Brahmaputra. This 80-guest ship, being built by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata, will operate on National Waterway-2 and is expected to launch by late 2027.

This growth aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of sustainable transport and tourism. The IWAI, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been instrumental in upgrading cruise terminals, navigation systems and on-shore facilities. River cruise operations have expanded from just five vessels on three waterways in 2013–14 to 25 vessels on 13 waterways in 2024- 25.

Flagship moments like the MV Ganga Vilas cruise covering 3,200 km from Varanasi to Dibrugarh and entering the Limca Book of Records have helped put India’s river tourism on the map. Circuits in the Sundarbans, Brahmaputra, and Alappuzha are also gaining traction.

With the Cruise Bharat Mission, the government aims to triple passenger numbers to 1.5 million by 2027. Over 50 new circuits are being planned across 14 states and three union territories, supported by eco-friendly vessels and employment-focused infrastructure.