LUCKNOW: To boost tourism and recreational activities, the city will soon offer a luxury cruise service on the Gomti river, allowing up to 200 people a river ride at a time.The cruise will operate between Hanuman Setu and Gomti Barrage, completing 1 round in about 30 to 45 minutes. Construction of the cruise began at the riverfront near Hanuman Setu.
During a site inspection on Sunday, Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) vice-chairperson Prathamesh Kumar reviewed the progress and directed officials to complete construction and start operations within 5 months.According to LDA, a request for proposal (RFP) was invited for the project, and Kolkata-based M/s Balaji Sales and Poornima Enterprises was selected. The cruise is being built at an estimated cost of about Rs 16 crore, which will be borne by the company. Once operations begin, the company will pay an annual revenue of Rs 16 lakh to LDA.The 45-metre-long and 10-metre-wide cruise will include a modern conference hall, VIP lounge, and digital screens on the lower deck, while the upper deck will feature an open restaurant. The proposed ticket price for a ride is Rs 300 per person, with additional charges for lunch, dinner, or buffet services.A captain and five marine crew members will be deployed on board. Announcements and educational information about the cruise and river life will be shared with passengers, especially children, along with entertainment activities for young visitors.
