MoPSW updates on Cruise Bharat Mission

NEW DELHI : The Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal informed in written reply to the Lok Sabha that, in FY 2024 – 25, there were 272 cruise calls and 4.92 lakh passengers as compared to increase from 253 cruise calls and 4.7 lakh passengers in FY – 2023-24.

Several regulatory reforms have been introduced; such as introduction of Cruise QR Code clearance system for passengers by Immigration, digitized customs procedures for ships by customs (CBIC advisory 26/2024, dated 08.11.2024) and change of advance remittance for lease payment for ships by RBI {RBI Circular No. RBI/2025-26/55 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 07 dated 13 June 2025}. Puducherry Port has been recently operationalized for cruise services, with Empress of Cordelia Cruises making its inaugural call on 04 July 2025.

Cruise ports are located at Mumbai (Maharashtra), Murmugao (Goa), Kochi (Kerela), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), New Mangalore (Karnataka), and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), with cruise calls also at Puducherry (Union Territory), Lakshadweep (Union Territory), and Sri Vijayapuram (Andaman and Nicobar Islands). Further, as of FY 2024–25, 29 National Waterways (NWs) are operational across 11 states, including 3 NWs exclusively dedicated to cruise movement.

As per the Key Performance Indicators of the Cruise Bharat Mission, the initiative aims to generate approximately 0.4 million jobs.

No special framework is under preparation for urban water transport system. However, Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) provides fairway, aids to navigation, terminals for berthing of vessels, pilotage assistance for smooth plying of vessels on NW2 in North Eastern Region (NER).