New Delhi/Assam: India’s inland waterways are poised for a major transformation, with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) joining hands with international luxury cruise operator Scenic Group to expand high-end river tourism on the Ganga and Brahmaputra.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the partnership on September 16, describing it as a landmark step in placing India’s great rivers on the global cruise map. The collaboration is backed by a proposed investment of ₹750–800 crore over the next decade, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and services to international standards.
The announcement followed a meeting in New Delhi between Sonowal, Scenic Group founder Glen Moroney, and ABN Managing Director Ashish Phookan. “India’s revitalised waterways are now attracting global interest, and this partnership will showcase the Brahmaputra’s unique potential to the world,” Sonowal said in a statement.
Founded in 2003, ABN has pioneered luxury cruises on the Brahmaputra and Ganga, offering itineraries that highlight Assam’s cultural and natural treasures, including Kaziranga National Park and Majuli island. The new investment is expected to significantly expand these offerings, while strengthening Assam’s tourism economy.
The Centre has already begun developing the Brahmaputra as a tourism and trade corridor. Projects announced earlier this year include cruise terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Neamati, and an elevated corridor linking Pandu Port to National Highway-27. These initiatives are designed to boost connectivity, logistics, and cruise tourism along National Waterway-2.
The Brahmaputra’s potential as a global cruise destination was demonstrated in 2023 when MV Ganga Vilas completed its voyage from Varanasi to Dibrugarh, navigating through the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route.
With Scenic Group’s entry and ABN’s local expertise, officials believe the Brahmaputra and Ganga could soon rival some of the world’s most celebrated river cruise destinations, offering travellers a blend of wildlife, heritage, and luxury.
