₹16 Crore Ekta Cruise to Boost Narmada River Tourism at Statue of Unity in Gujarat

Kevadia: Ekta Nagar, home to the Statue of Unity, is set to add a new attraction to its tourism offerings with the introduction of the Ekta Cruise on the Narmada River. Built at a cost of ₹16 crore, the cruise will offer visitors a river tourism experience with comfortable seating, catering and dining facilities, a music system and modern safety arrangements.

The Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018. Since then, several attractions have been developed in the area to cater to visitors of different age groups. The Ekta Cruise is expected to further diversify the tourism experience at Ekta Nagar, with facilities to host events, celebrations, ceremonies and entertainment programmes.

₹16 Crore Ekta Cruise to Boost Narmada River Tourism at Statue of Unity in Gujarat
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Key features of the Ekta Cruise

The cruise will have a passenger capacity of up to 600 people and an area of approximately 360 square metres. It will be powered by a 400-horsepower (HP) engine and equipped with four diesel generator sets to meet its electricity requirements.

The vessel will feature comfortable seating, onboard catering for meals and refreshments, and a live music system for announcements, entertainment and other programmes. A fire protection system and additional safety arrangements will also be in place.

How the cruise is expected to boost tourism

The new cruise is expected to promote river tourism and recreational activities at Ekta Nagar while improving the overall visitor experience at the Statue of Unity.

It will also facilitate organised tourism activities along the Narmada riverfront and create potential revenue-generating opportunities through event hosting and catering services. By expanding the range of attractions available, the cruise is expected to encourage visitors to extend their stay in Ekta Nagar.

The initiative is also aimed at strengthening Ekta Nagar’s position as a prominent tourism and cultural destination in Gujarat. DeahGujarat