Lok Sabha Question No. 115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Promotion of River Cruise
Ministry: PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  115

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## PROMOTION OF RIVER CRUISE

## 115. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: पȅन , पोतपįरवहनऔरजलमागŊमंũी

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps for development and promotion of Ocean, coastal and river cruise sector within the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken for development of world class ports?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a)    to  (c)For  Ocean  and  Coastal  Cruise  operation  various  Indian  Ports  viz.  Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai and Visakhapatnam are used. The steps taken for development and promotion of ocean and coastal cruise within the country is at Annex-I . For river cruise, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) in consultation with  the  cruise  operators  and  other  stakeholders  develops  adequate  infrastructure  to boost  river  cruise  tourism.  The  details  of  infrastructure  facilities  created  for  smooth operation on river cruise on National Waterways is at Annex-II .

## Steps taken for development and promotion of ocean and coastal cruise

1. For berthing, cruise vessel is given priority over cargo vessel.
2. Rationalised cruise tariff has been introduced.
- i. Port charges are recovered @ $0.085/GRT (fixed rate) and a nominal passenger head tax of $ 6 for first 12 hours of stay at berth.
- ii. Cruise ships are provided discounts ranging from 10% to 30% based on volume of their calls.
3. Ousting charges have been removed to attract cruise vessels.
4. E-Visa and on-arrival visa facilities have been extended.
5. Single e-Landing Card has been introduced which is valid for all ports in cruise itinerary.
6. Cabotage  has  been  waived  for  foreign  cruise  vessels. This  relaxation  allows foreign cruise ships to transport Indian nationals from one Indian Port to another Indian Port during their domestic leg.
7. In order to promote tourism, conditional IGST exemption has been approved for foreign  flag  foreign  going  vessel  when  it  converts  to  coastal  run,  subject  to  its reconversion to foreign going vessel within six months.
8. During Global Maritime India Summit, 2023 a session on 'Embark on a voyage to attract  50  million  Cruise  Passengers  in  India  by  2047'  and  a  'Roundtable  with  Cruise lines' were organized with participation of stakeholders.
9. Up-gradation and modernization of Cruise Terminals at New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Mormugao and Visakhapatnam have been completed

## Details of infrastructure facilities created for smooth operation on river cruise on National Waterways

1. Berthing Facilities: Floating pontoons have been provided at various locations as per requirement on National Waterways for berthing of cruise vessels and embarkation/ disembarkation of tourists.
2. Provision of five special tourist jetties on National Waterway-2 (Pandu, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, Kamlabari and Guijan) with the funding from Ministry of Tourism.
3. Construction  of  62  Community  Jetties  has  been  taken  up  by  IWAI  on  National Waterway-1 between Varanasi and Haldia, which will also cater the berthing of cruise vessels.
4. Navigational  Fairway  with  marking  of  the  channels  for  safe  plying  of  tourist vessels.
5. Pilotage: Pilots are provided on demand at a very nominal charge of Rs. 750/per day for the safe navigation of the vessels.
6. Coordination  with  State  government:  Assistance  is  provided  to  the  cruise operators in close coordination with State government for facilitating the voyage through respective State.
7. Assistance to vessels in distress: High-powered tug to tow the cruise vessels to safe  locations  when  they  are  in  distress  due  to  mechanical  failure  or  otherwise  on National Waterways.

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