**Summary:**
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways' Cruise Bharat Mission has demonstrated growth in the Indian cruise sector. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, there were 272 cruise calls and 4.92 lakh passengers, an increase from 253 cruise calls and 4.7 lakh passengers in FY 2023-24. Several regulatory reforms have been implemented, including the introduction of a Cruise QR Code clearance system for passengers by Immigration, digitized customs procedures for ships (Customs CBIC advisory 26/2024, dated 08.11.2024), and a change in advance remittance for lease payments for ships (RBI Circular No. RBI/2025-26/55 A.P. DIR Series Circular No. 07 dated 13 June 2025).
Puducherry Port has recently been operationalized for cruise services, with the Empress of Cordelia Cruises making its inaugural call on 04 July 2025. Key cruise ports are located in Mumbai (Maharashtra), Murmugao (Goa), Kochi (Kerala), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), New Mangalore (Karnataka), and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), with cruise calls also occurring in Puducherry (Union Territory), Lakshadweep (Union Territory), and Sri Vijayapuram (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
As of FY 2024-25, 29 National Waterways (NWs) are operational across 11 states, including 3 NWs exclusively dedicated to cruise movement. The Cruise Bharat Mission aims to generate approximately 0.4 million jobs. While no specific framework is under preparation for urban water transport systems, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) provides fairway, aids to navigation, terminals for berthing, and pilotage assistance for vessels on NW2 in the North Eastern Region (NER).
This information was provided by the Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Release ID: 2148283.
Key Entities Referenced
Cruise Bharat Mission: An initiative by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to promote cruise tourism in India.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Puducherry Port: A port in Puducherry Union Territory recently operationalized for cruise services.
Empress of Cordelia Cruises: A cruise ship that made its inaugural call at Puducherry Port on 04 July 2025.
Mumbai Maharashtra: A port city in Maharashtra with cruise services.
Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI: The Indian government authority responsible for the development and regulation of inland waterways.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal: The Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways of India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where information regarding the Cruise Bharat Mission was presented.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
CRUISE BHARAT MISSION
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 1:28PM by PIB Delhi
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).
This information was given by the Union Minister of Port, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda
Sonowal in written reply to the Lok Sabha.
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SR/GDH/SJ/HK
(Release ID: 2148283)