Floating Restaurant Cruise in Sabarmati River to be launched on July 2

Sabarmati: From next Sunday, July 2, residents of Ahmedabad will have the opportunity to enjoy sitting and dining on a ship in the middle of the water, similar to experiences in destinations like Goa. The floating restaurant cruise, operated under a public-private partnership by Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project Limited, will be virtually inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday morning. This floating restaurant cruise is designed to offer a similar experience to those found in Goa and Mumbai.

Hitesh Barot, Chairman of the Standing Committee, expressed that the dream of having cruise restaurants on the Sabarmati River was nurtured since Prime Minister Narendra Modi developed the riverfront. The aim was to provide leisure and entertainment options for the people of Ahmedabad, eliminating the need for them to travel elsewhere. Hence, the decision was made to introduce a floating cruise in Ahmedabad itself. The private company will manage and operate the cruise.

The floating restaurant cruise will provide two seating areas for dining, one upstairs and one downstairs. The lower deck will be fully enclosed with glass and equipped with central air conditioning.  Similar to regular restaurants, the cruise will offer amenities such as TV, projector, lighting, DJ sound system, and life-saving equipment. The tables will be arranged in a way that allows guests to enjoy their meals while overlooking the Sabarmati River from both sides. The upper deck is also designed to enhance the dining experience.

The top of the cruise will be covered, but the sides will remain open. Even during the monsoon season, the cruise will have a roof covering to allow guests to sit and enjoy their meals. During lunchtime, particularly in the monsoon or winter, people can sit on the upper deck, facing one side, and admire the view of the Sabarmati River. The kitchen will be situated at the back of the cruise, where the restaurant’s food will be prepared and brought in from outside. Only fresh items that require on-site preparation will be cooked on the cruise.

The cruise project, launched by Sabarmati Riverfront Development Limited (SRFDCL), aims to transform the river into a recreational hub. The construction of this floating restaurant cruise cost Rs 10 crore, with an additional annual license fee of 45 lakhs paid to the SRFDCL. The cruise was brought to the Sabarmati riverfront from Umargam in Valsad in February and took three months to be constructed. It was recently lowered into the water for testing and will officially commence its operation on July 2.

A specialty of floating restaurant cruises:

1. Two-story cruise-cum-floating restaurant.

2. AC cabins on the first floor and open space on the upper floors.

3. Capacity to accommodate 125 to 150 people simultaneously.

4. Entertainment facilities including live shows, music parties, birthday parties, and office meetings.

5. One round trip from Sardar Bridge to Gandhi Bridge takes one and a half hours.

6. Construction of a jetty between Sardar Bridge and Atal Bridge.

7. Akshar Travels assigned the project.

Features of Asia’s Best Luxury River Cruise in Ahmedabad Sabarmati River:

1. First passenger catamaran cruise made in India under the auspices of Make in India.

2. Equipped with two propulsion engines and two generators.

3. Length of 30 meters and lower upper deck configuration.

4. Capacity of 150+15 crew members.

5. Three washrooms available.

6. Lower deck is centrally air-conditioned, while the upper deck is open to the sky.

7. Seating is available in the AC restaurant.

8. Lunch slots from 12 PM to 1:20 PM and 1:45 PM to 3:15 PM.

9. Dinner slots from 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM and 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM.

10. Music and LED system onboard.

11. Lime program every day.

12. Mocktail Bar for refreshing beverages.

13. Wide variety of more than 35 vegetarian/jain dishes, including soup, starters, main courses, and desserts.

14. Magnificent waiting AC lounge with a capacity of more than 180 people.

15. One-and-a-half-hour lunch/dinner ride between Atal bridge to Dadichi Bridge with entertainment.

16. Check-in process as per international standards.

17. Online and offline booking arrangements.

18. Professional management team.

19. Wi-Fi available.

20. High-resolution CCTV cameras for security.

21. Audio-video guide named Vijayual providing information about the historic city of Ahmedabad.

22. Charter arrangements for corporate and other occasions or events.

23. Proper security measures at the cruise entry point.

24. VIP lounge available.

25. Scenic views of Sabarmati River can be enjoyed from the upper deck.

26. Large 700-ton capacity jetty (27m long and 14m wide) for boarding.

27. Safety features include life safety jackets, rafts, fire sprinkler system, emergency rescue boats, and more.

28. Well-trained crew members equipped with walkie talkies and radio equipment for immediate communication.

29. Public Address System for announcements.

30. First aid available for emergencies.

31. Emergency exit doors and adequate signs and signals for safety.

32. Spacious waiting luxury AC lounge for 100 passengers on Uttlebridge River Front.

33. Special waiting lounge for VIPs.

34. Tickets can be purchased online or offline through travel booking agents or the dedicated website for riverfront cruises.

Manish Sharma, Managing Director of Akshar Travels, told the media that the largest floating restaurant cum cruise in Asia, will be launched on July 2. The cruise will be open to the public from July 10. Tickets can be obtained online, offline, or through travel booking agents, and there is a separate website for riverfront cruises for booking purposes. DeshGujarat