Landmark decade-long investment to expand premium river cruises on the Ganga and Brahmaputra and position India on the global river-cruise map
NEW DELHI: India’s rapidly expanding inland waterways and river tourism sector is set to receive a major boost with Scenic Group, a global luxury cruise and travel company, joining hands with Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) for a planned investment of approximately ₹750–800 crore over the next decade.
The landmark partnership was highlighted by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal following a meeting in New Delhi with a delegation from Scenic Group led by its Founder and Chairman Mr Glen Moroney, along with Shri Ashish Phookan, Managing Director of Assam Bengal Navigation.
The partnership is expected to bring together Scenic Group’s international luxury-cruise expertise, global brand and distribution network with ABN’s deep experience in India’s rivers and established presence in the Ganga and Brahmaputra cruise markets.
As part of the planned expansion, the 44-guest Scenic Aura is scheduled to begin operations on the Ganga from October 2027. The partners also plan to introduce two luxury river vessels on the Brahmaputra by 2029–30, marking a significant expansion of premium river-cruise capacity in India.
The collaboration could subsequently open opportunities for coastal and regional cruising, with the partners exploring potential itineraries connecting destinations such as Kolkata, Chennai, the Andaman Islands and Phuket, according to current reporting on the partnership.
Strengthening India’s River Cruise Economy
The partnership comes at a time when India’s inland waterways are witnessing growing investment in infrastructure, passenger movement and tourism. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, river-cruise voyages on National Waterways increased from 371 in 2023–24 to 443 in 2024–25, representing a 19.4% increase. The sector has also attracted other international operators, including Viking Cruises, which has announced plans for an 80-guest vessel for the Brahmaputra.
The Government has simultaneously been strengthening infrastructure along the Brahmaputra (National Waterway-2) through development of terminals, tourist jetties, fairways, ship-repair facilities and other supporting infrastructure. In May 2026, the Ministry stated that projects worth around ₹751 crore had already been completed in Assam, while more than ₹1,100 crore of works were under implementation, including fairway development, tourist jetties and a regional centre of excellence.
The development of the Brahmaputra is also being pursued as part of a wider strategy to integrate transport, tourism, trade and regional economic development across the Northeast.
Assam Enterprise Meets Global Luxury Cruise Expertise
Assam Bengal Navigation brings more than two decades of experience in Indian river cruising. The company was established in 2002 and pioneered long-distance river cruising on the Brahmaputra in 2003, subsequently expanding its operations to the Ganges.
Its experience includes immersive itineraries combining river journeys with wildlife, heritage, culture, tea estates and local communities, particularly across Assam and eastern India.
Scenic Group, meanwhile, brings extensive international experience in luxury river, ocean and expedition cruising. The partnership therefore represents a combination of local knowledge and international luxury-tourism capabilities, aimed at creating premium river-cruise experiences for both Indian and international travellers.
Government Push for Inland Waterways and Cruise Tourism
The new partnership complements the Government of India’s broader efforts to unlock the tourism and economic potential of inland waterways. Investments in terminals, navigational infrastructure, passenger facilities and cruise-related infrastructure are intended to create a more robust ecosystem for river tourism.
The Government’s Cruise Bharat Mission has also identified river cruising as an important growth area, with an objective of developing river-cruise terminals and expanding passenger movement on India’s waterways.
The planned Scenic Group–ABN investment is consequently expected to strengthen India’s premium river-cruise offering while creating opportunities for tourism, hospitality, local employment, allied services and regional economic activity, particularly along the Ganga and Brahmaputra corridors.
The partnership marks another significant step in the emergence of India’s inland waterways as a platform not only for cargo and passenger transportation, but also for high-value tourism and international cruise experiences, further enhancing the country’s position on the global river-cruise map.
