Madhya Pradesh State PCS

• 26 Apr 2024

Madhya Pradesh to Boost Cruise Tourism

Why in News?

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) and the Government of Gujarat to elevate cruise tourism in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• Under this collaboration, two floating jetties, known as pontoons, have been dispatched from Kolkata to Kukshi in the state.
  • The proposed cruise route is set to embark from Ekatma Dham (Statue of Oneness) in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, and voyage to the Statue of Unity in Kevadiya, Gujarat.
• According to the terms outlined in the MoU, IWAI is committed to providing two floating jetties to both Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
• Additional infrastructure and amenities for cruise tourism will be developed by the state government, fostering economic growth in the region and extending benefits to the local populace.
• Cruise tourism promises not only to enrich the tourism landscape but also to offer tourists an immersive experience of the local culture, traditions, lifestyle, and cuisine amid the scenic vistas of the Narmada River.

Narmada River

• The Narmada River (also known as Rewa) serves as a traditional boundary between North and South India.
• It is 1,312 km west of its origin from the Amarkantak peak of Maikal mountain. It flows into the Gulf of Khambhat.
• It drains a large area in Madhya Pradesh besides some areas in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• It is a West flowing river of the peninsular region flowing through a rift valley between the Vindhya Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.
• Tributaries:
  • The predominant tributaries from the right are – Hiran, Tendori, Barna, Kolar, Man, Uri, Hatni, and Orsang.
  • The predominant left tributaries are – Burner, Banjar, Sher, Shakkar, Dudhi, Tawa, Ganjal, Chhota Tawa, Kundi, Goi, and Karjan.
• Dams:
  • The Major dams on the river include Omkareshwar and Maheshwar dams.