To improve river cruise tourism in Assam, Antara Cruises will invest INR 500 crore.
Four brand-new, specially designed luxury river cruise ships will be deployed by Antara Cruises on the Brahmaputra as part of its expansion. The first vessel will be launched in 2027, and one vessel will be added every year after that.
Over the next five years, Antara Cruises intends to invest more than INR 500 crore to establish the Brahmaputra as the top luxury river cruise destination in India. The company’s fleet, tourism infrastructure, and the larger cruise ecosystem in Assam will all benefit from the investment.
The statement comes after Antara Cruises’ founder and managing director, Raj Singh, met with Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, IAS, to discuss the company’s long-term plan for growing river cruise tourism in the state.
The investment is made at a time when the river cruise industry in India is expanding rapidly. River cruise trips on India’s National Waterways increased by 19.4% in FY2024–2025, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. By 2027, 51 river cruise circuits in 14 states and three Union Territories are planned as part of the government’s Cruise Bharat Mission. With 1.39 million passengers and EUR 3.54 billion in ticket sales in 2024, Europe’s well-established river cruise business highlights India’s enormous potential to become a worldwide destination for upscale river-based travel.
Four brand-new, specially designed luxury river cruise ships will be deployed by Antara Cruises on the Brahmaputra as part of its expansion. The first vessel will be launched in 2027, and one vessel will be added every year after that. With shallow-draft technology and complete adherence to the most recent Inland Vessels Act and Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) regulations, each vessel is being uniquely built to hold 80 passengers and engineered for the particular navigational conditions of the Brahmaputra. The company’s flagship luxury river cruise ship, the MV Ganga Vilas, which operates on the Brahmaputra, will be complemented by these new vessels, greatly increasing Assam’s ability to draw valuable domestic and foreign tourists.
Raj Singh, founder and managing director of Antara Cruises, stated, “We had very positive conversations with the Chief Secretary. Our top goal is to create an ecology that makes river cruising possible by enhancing jetties, road connectivity, shore power, safety, and smooth guest transportation between locations. Assam has the potential to become the top river cruise destination in India if the proper infrastructure is put in place. By attracting high-value tourists to locations outside of big cities, river cruising has revolutionised regional economies all over the world. We think the Brahmaputra can do the same for Northeast India, creating sustainable employment, supporting local businesses, and positioning India on the global luxury river cruise map.”
Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota shared information about the meeting on X, stating that the proposed investment could create about 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities and establish Assam as a world-renowned luxury river cruise destination. Additionally, he underlined the significance of developing high-value tourism experiences, bolstering regional businesses and craftspeople, and equipping young Assamese people with skills in hospitality, cruise operations, culinary services, and marine engineering.
