MV Bengal Ganga cruise gets new lease of life; set to sail to Varanasi from Kolkata
The Hindu
Antara Cruises relaunches eco-friendly MV Bengal Ganga for sustainable Ganga river cruise from Kolkata to Varanasi.
Cruise on the river Ganga set to start journey from Kolkata to Varanasi and celebrate local cuisine, handicrafts, and artwork along the route. It has been newly renovated to make the journey sustainable and eco-friendly and is set to start its voyage on October 21, 2024.
Amidst rising concerns about environmental issues over cruise travel, Antara Cruises relaunches MV Bengal Ganga, keeping all environmental factors in mind. They have initiatives to ensure a reduced carbon footprint and use as much shore electricity as possible so that diesel usage and carbon emissions in water remain minimal.
MV Bengal Ganga is a 2004-built Burmese cruise that has been sailing in the Gangetic waters since 2009. The journey between Kolkata and Varanasi will be a unique 19-day trip with stops at key destinations such as Kalna, Matiari, Murshidabad, Bateshwarsthan, Sultanganj, Munger, Simaria, Patna, Buxar, and Ghazipur. Passengers will have the opportunity to explore iconic sites, including Kolkata’s flower market, the terracotta temples of Kalna, and the Katra Mosque of Murshidabad.
Dr. Annapurna Garimella, Director, Antara Cruises — Historic River Journeys Private Limited, shared her vision for the MV Bengal Ganga, stating, “We envisioned the MV Bengal Ganga as a vessel that harmonises the traditional essence of river boats with the modernity of river cruising. Our goal is to elevate the Ganga cruise journey, providing an experience that is both elegant and comfortable, while remaining true to the ship’s heritage.”
Speaking on their eco-friendly approach to cruising, Dr. Garimella said, “The river is our livelihood, we want to take care of it to the best of our abilities.”
Antara Cruises also has the unique experience of a 52-day-long cruise experience between Varanasi and Dibrugarh via five Indian states, and Bangladesh. This covers 27 rivers and is the longest cruise journey in the world.
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