Centre plans 51 cruise circuits across 14 states, 3 UTs by 2027ETInfra
The Union government has planned 51 new cruise circuits across 14 states and three Union Territories by 2027 under the Cruise Bharat Mission, an official statement said on Monday. Viking Cruises has announced its entry into India's river cruise market with Viking Brahmaputra, an 80-guest vessel scheduled to begin operations in late 2027, signalling heightened interest and investment in India's river cruise tourism sector, it added.Viking Brahmaputra, to be indigenously developed by Hooghly Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kolkata, will operate on National Waterway-2 , the statement said.The river cruise tourism sector in India has witnessed notable growth, with the number of river cruise voyages on National Waterways increasing from 371 in 2023-24 to 443 in 2024-25.This 19.4 per cent growth underscores the rising appeal and operational efficiency of river cruises in India's inland waterways, it said.From just five vessels on three waterways in 2013-14, river cruise operations have expanded to 25 vessels across 13 national waterways in 2024-25.The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is developing dedicated cruise terminals on the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, with three cruise terminals planned in Varanasi , Guwahati, Kolkata, and Patna.In the northeast, four more cruise terminals at Silghat, Biswanath Ghat, Neamati, and Guijan are proposed to be developed by 2027.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Rs25,567Cr Mobility Plan To Ease Nagpur Gridlock
Nagpur: After months of deliberation and consultations with stakeholders, the much-anticipated ₹25,567-crore Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the Nagpur Metropolitan Region (NMR) has entered its final stage before implementation. The latest and most detailed version of the plan was presented on Sunday to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Nagpur guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and representatives from 16 departments during the third and concluding stakeholder meeting. Officials from Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), MahaMetro, Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), traffic police, and the district collectorate were present at the meeting held at Metro Bhawan. The CMP, jointly prepared by MahaMetro and RITES, aims to streamline mobility, reduce congestion, and build long-term transport infrastructure for the region, which spans 3,780 sq. km and has a population of over 43.7 lakh. The final version of the plan reflects a significant budget hike of nearly ₹7,000 crore compared to the previous draft, indicating the inclusion of several new infrastructure components and upgrades pegged at ₹18,585 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Signs Your Dog Loves You More Than Anything Liseer Read More Undo Divided into three phases, the CMP allocates ₹13,927 crore for Phase 1, ₹10,774 crore for Phase 2, and ₹865 crore for Phase 3. A major addition in the latest draft is the proposed 148-km six-lane peripheral ring road, estimated at ₹3,700 crore. This key project, forming part of Phase 2, will act as a regional bypass connecting major highways including NH-44, NH-47, NH-353, NH-53, and the Samruddhi Mahamarg, thereby diverting heavy traffic away from the city core. "Urbanisation is increasing rapidly, especially in areas like the Mihan and Koradi-Kamptee belt. The road and transport infrastructure must be upgraded accordingly. All agencies must act swiftly on the final plan," said Gadkari. The plan focuses heavily on five core areas — non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities, mobility management, public transport, freight infrastructure, and road upgrades. These areas encompass 20 specific sectors, such as electric buses, intelligent traffic systems, flyovers, underpasses, off-street parking, and pedestrian-friendly pathways. The CMP also proposes restrictions on the movement of long-distance commercial vehicles within city limits from 7am to 9pm, relocation of godowns from the core city area, and promotion of smaller, low-emission cargo vehicles in inner zones. Four freight terminals are planned: Automotive Chowk and Kapsi in Phase 1, Gumgaon in Phase 2, and Gondkhairi in Phase 3 — each estimated at ₹20 crore. "To shape the growing expansion of the Nagpur metropolis, we will implement the mobility plan in three phases. I appeal to citizens and public representatives to share their suggestions, so the plan becomes more people-oriented," Fadnavis said during the meeting. Officials confirmed that a 15-day window has been opened for final suggestions or modifications from participating departments. The DPR, once ready, will be submitted to the state and then to the central government for final approval, after which it will be implemented on the ground. The first mobility plan for Nagpur city was prepared in 2013 by the Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). It was revised by MahaMetro in July 2018 and updated again with wider inputs through meetings chaired by the divisional commissioner. Infographics: Cost (₹ Cr) NMT Facility Improvement Plan Footpath (1.5–2 m wide)...................Km.........................156.................................131 NMV Lane (2–2.3 m wide)..................Km.........................139.5..............................116.9 At Grade Pedestrian Grade Separated Mobility Management Measures Automatic Off-Street Intelligent Traffic Mgmt Public Bicycle Sharing (PBS)...............Location..................120..................................24 Intersection Public Transport Improvement Plan High Capacity Medium Capacity Electric Bus Terminal New Bus Railway Station Freight Infrastructure Improvement Freight Road Improvement Projects Road Widening (2/4 lanes)..................Km.......................137.1...............................393.5 New Roads (4-lane C/W)....................Km.........................15.6................................89.5 Rail Over Bridges (4-lane)...................Nos............................7..................................200 Flyovers / Peripheral Ring Road (6-lane).............Km.........................148...............................3,700 Total……………………………………………………………………………………….25,567
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Metro Phase 3: Sitabuldi to Koradi Corridor Finalised in Rs8,625-Cr CMP Expansion
1 2 Nagpur: Even as works under Metro Phase 2 continue at a rapid pace across the city and it's outskirts, Nagpurkars can look forward to the next big leap, which is 'Metro Phase 3'. A new metro corridor between Sitabuldi and Koradi has been finalised as part of the recently presented Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP), confirmed senior MahaMetro officials after a high-level stakeholder meeting held on Sunday in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union minister Nitin Gadkari among others. The CMP, prepared by MahaMetro in collaboration with RITES, outlines the development of mass rapid transit corridors in the Nagpur Metropolitan Region based on traffic density, projected ridership, and future mobility needs. There is also a proposal for a Metro Phase IV, though the route has not been revealed yet. Among the key proposals in CMP Phase 1 are two High Capacity MRTS Corridors — the 11.5 km Sitabuldi–Koradi corridor and the 25km Mankapur Chowk–Rachana Junction stretch on the Inner Ring Road. Together, they are estimated to cost Rs8,625 crore. Of the two, the Sitabuldi–Koradi line was prioritised for development of the metro route. "We have finalised the Sitabuldi–Koradi corridor based on Peak Hour Peak Direction Traffic (PHPDT) assessments. The ridership projections and traffic volumes make it feasible for metro operations," said a senior MahaMetro official. The proposed corridor is expected to cater to a daily ridership of 1.47 lakh commuters by 2054. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why Are Houses In Dubai So Cheap? Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Undo The Sitabuldi-Koradi metro line will diverge from the Kasturchand Park station, and will comprise underground sections also. While details such as the number of stations, alignment, and exact route are yet to be finalised, officials said that once the ongoing 15-day window for suggestions from all concerned departments ends, work on preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will begin. Tenders will be floated subsequently based on the DPR findings. On the other hand, the 25km Mankapur Chowk–Rachana Junction corridor was also identified as a potential high-capacity transit corridor. However, instead of immediately extending metro services, the plan currently involves deploying articulated buses along this route. "We will study the performance of bus operations on this corridor. Based on the data collected and demand observed, necessary modifications in the mobility plan will be made in future phases," the official added. The CMP was designed keeping the horizon year 2030 in mind and includes projections extending up to 2054. It aims to create a sustainable and integrated transport network to support the region's rapid urban expansion. The inclusion of the Sitabuldi–Koradi line is a response to the growing residential and institutional developments towards Koradi, along with the high commuting demand. Another MahaMetro official also confirmed that during the meeting, CM Fadnavis asked officials to begin work on developing a financial model for the CMP. "Fadnavis pointed out that while the vision is clear, the financing and revenue generation model should also be added in the CMP. He has directed us to prepare a model outlining funding sources, investment recovery strategies, and ways to ensure long-term sustainability of the proposed infrastructure," the official said. With Metro Phase 3 taking shape and CMP inching closer to final approval, Nagpur is on track to emerge as a model city for multi-modal urban mobility.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Nagpur Powers Up India's First AI-Driven Anganwadi
1 2 Nagpur: In a landmark move to revolutionise early childhood education, India's first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Anganwadi was inaugurated in Nagpur district under the ambitious initiative Mission Bal Bharari. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis launched the pioneering project at Metro Bhavan, with several top dignitaries including Union minister Nitin Gadkari, state BJP president and guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and zilla parishad CEO Vinayak Mahamuni in attendance. The pilot Anganwadi, set up at Waddhamna in Hingna taluka, boasts cutting-edge technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, AI-integrated smart dashboards, and interactive digital learning content. "These facilities — rare even in premium private kindergartens — will be used to teach poems, songs, and curriculum in a highly engaging and innovative manner," said a senior official. What makes this initiative particularly impactful is its aim to bridge the educational divide between rural and urban areas. "This is an emotional resolution to ensure every child learns with joy, curiosity, and confidence," said Mahamuni, adding that the goal is to bring a historic transformation in Maharashtra's early childhood education system. As part of the mission, Anganwadi workers were trained to operate the advanced smart tools. The zilla parishad plans to expand this model by launching 40 more AI-powered Anganwadis across Nagpur district. "Through Mission Bal Bharari, we are committed to giving kids from rural backgrounds same trust, exposure, and facilities that children in metropolitan cities receive at home or in private kindergartens," the CM said. The launch event saw the presence of key political leaders including minister of state for agriculture Ashish Jaiswal, MLAs Krishna Khopde, Pravin Datke, and Sanjay Meshram, along with divisional commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari and district collector Vipin Itankar. With Nagpur Zilla Parishad at the helm, this initiative also symbolises a visionary step toward inclusive and future-ready education.
