DHAKA, Mar 27, 2019 (BSS) – With a view to exploring a new horizon of
tourism, Bangladesh and India are set to launch a cruise service on Friday
that would take passengers through the Sunderbans to Dhaka.
After the inception of about 70 years, the two neighboring countries took
the initiative to strengthen waterway routes on Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka route,
said a press release.
BIWTC’s vessel “MV Madhumoti” is scheduled to sail from the VIP terminal at
Pagla Ghat at 7pm carrying Kolkata-bound passengers.
Bangladesh and India are going to start the waterway service for the
tourists and cruise service under the agreement of Naval Protocol, said the
release.
On the same day, ship “Masers RV Bengal Ganga” will start from Kolkata
towards Dhaka.
In order to make the maiden cross border cruise service historical, an
inaugural ceremony will be held at Pagla VIP Ghat Mary Anderson, Narayanganj.
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, home minister, will inaugurate the event as the chief
guest.
Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, state minister for Shipping Ministry, and Md
Mahbub Ali, state minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, will
present as special guest.
Modhumoti cruise is expected to reach Kolkata at 12 noon of March 31,
roaming Barishal-Mongla-Sundarbans-Antyhara of Khulna and Holdia route of
India.
Earlier, the shipping ministries of both countries finalized the Standard
Operating Procedure (SoP) for movement of passenger and cruise vessels on the
coastal and designated inland routes between the two neighbouring countries.