• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Antara Cruises has announced plans to invest more than ₹500 crore (~US$52M) over the next 5 years to strengthen the Brahmaputra as India's leading luxury river cruise destination.
The investment will support fleet expansion, tourism infrastructure and the wider cruise ecosystem across the state of Assam.
The announcement follows discussions between Raj Singh (Antara's Founder and Managing Director) and Ravi Kota (Assam Chief Secretary), during which the company presented its long-term strategy for developing river cruise tourism in the region.
The initiative aligns with the continued growth of India's inland cruise sector, with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reporting a 19.4% increase in river cruise voyages on the country's National Waterways during the 2024–25 financial year. Under the Government of India's Cruise Bharat Mission, 51 river cruise circuits are planned across 14 states and three Union Territories by 2027.
As part of the expansion programme, Antara will introduce 4 newbuild luxury riverboats on the Brahmaputra. The first ship is scheduled to enter service in 2027, with one additional vessel to follow annually.
Each vessel will accommodate up to 80 guests and has been specifically designed for the navigational characteristics of the Brahmaputra, incorporating shallow-draft technology while complying with the latest Inland Vessels Act and Indian Register of Shipping standards. The newbuilds will operate alongside the company's flagship RV Ganga Vilas, increasing capacity for both domestic and international travellers.
Raj Singh stated that discussions with the Assam government had reinforced the importance of developing supporting infrastructure, including improved jetties, road access, shore power facilities, safety measures and seamless transportation between destinations. He indicated that the company believes the Brahmaputra has the potential to become India's premier river cruise destination while contributing to regional economic development through employment opportunities and support for local businesses.
The company has been working with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) to advance luxury river cruising in the region, while coordinating its long-term plans with Assam's tourism and infrastructure development objectives.
Sustainability measures have been incorporated into the vessel designs, including onboard sewage treatment plants, advanced water filtration systems, shore power connectivity to reduce emissions while alongside, and WWF-approved dolphin deterrent technology intended to help protect the Brahmaputra's ecosystem. Singh noted that every aspect of the vessels had been developed specifically for the river while meeting current environmental and operational standards.
Following the meeting, Ravi Kota stated that the proposed investment has the potential to establish Assam as an internationally recognised luxury river cruise destination while creating approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs. He also highlighted the project's potential to strengthen local enterprises and artisan communities while supporting skills development in hospitality, cruise operations, culinary services and marine engineering.
