India-Singapore In Talks To Develop Cruise Tourism: Gadkari

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari today (19 July) said that India and Singapore are in talks to develop cruise tourism in India, reports The Times of India. He was addressing a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Gadkari’s ministry has been working increasing India’s tourism potential for both river-based and in the open sea based cruises.

As per the government’s current plans, cruise facilities would be developed across India’s 7,500 km-long coastline, including Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, Kochi and Puducherry. Mumbai alone is expected to see 950 cruise vessels over the next five years.

Last week, the Government of India had said that it was looking at developing the Mumbai harbour to host the Formula One Powerboat Championship (F1H2O). Along with developing facilities at the Mumbai Cruise terminal, it was also proposed that the nearby ports of Mandwa and Rewas be developed for cruise tourism in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region,