Kathmandu. In a bid to promote water tourism and connect religious tourism in the Narayani River, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East) has made its first cruise operation from the Narayani River at Gaidakot. After the formal inauguration of the cruise on Sunday evening, Rhino Cruise operated regular service.
The Rhino Cruise has been brought into operation with the plan to make Nawalpur and the region a new destination with sustainable and potential tourism destinations. In the formal inauguration of the cruise, Mayor of Gaindakot municipality Madan Bhakta Adhikari said that the Rhino Cruise is the model jewelry of Gaindakot and the local government will provide necessary support for its operation.
Mayor Adhikari said that the cruise will greatly contribute to tourism promotion in the area and stressed that the cruise should be connected to Devghatdham and Tribenidham and not only to Devghatdham. Stating that obstacles have surfaced in many places for the operation of the cruise service, he said the local government would provide necessary support to deepen the river by removing the obstacles.
During the inauguration of the cruise, former central member of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and President of Hotel River Crown, Dr. Tilchandra Bhattarai said that Rhino Cruise and Hotel have collaborated to network the hotel along with water activities. He said that with the operation of the cruise, it will not only help to operate and increase the overall economic development of Gaindakot and Nawalpur but also in the region.
He said that they will also play a role in connecting the religious and touristic areas of the country by operating the cruise permanently. Bhattarai said. A new dimension has been added to tourism promotion in the country including Nawalpur and Chitwan with the operation of the cruise service, said hotel entrepreneur Prabhakar Pandit.
According to Pandit, the first cruise ship of Nepal launched in the Narayani River will help increase tourism activities.
He said that the operation of the cruise will help in the economic activities of Nepal and promote domestic tourism.
Deepak Dhungel, managing director of Rhino Water Entertainment Pvt Ltd and Hotel River Crown Pvt Ltd, said that the cruise has been allowed to sail 40 kilometers south from Devghat in the Narayani River.
It is 95 feet long and 21 feet wide. According to Dhungel, although the full capacity of the cruise is 200, it has been brought into operation to provide service facilities to 150 people. He said that the cruise is completely safe and the cruise has been operated not for transportation but for fun sailing.
Normally, the cruising time is one hour, but it can be increased according to the program and package, according to Dhungel. Giving information about the cruise package, Dhungel said, “Breakfast cruising, lunch cruising, dinner cruising, wedding, Bratabandha, Pasni, Janmotsav will be cruised on the basis of cruising and other special bookings.” ‘
The general ticket for cruising has been fixed at Rs 500. The fare for breakfast cruising, two thousand for lunch cruising, three thousand for dinner cruising and other events has been determined according to the package. Stating that the cruise ship has insurance worth Rs 10 lakh per passenger, he said that Gaindakot and Narayani river banks would be established in the map of luxury water tourism by making them a model river tourism destination of South Asia.
“This project is directly linked to the national rafting potential of Narayani River, religious tourism, sustainable tourism and national priority projects,” he said, adding, “We have invested Rs 50 crore for hotel and cruise. ‘
He said that the cruise operated from Gaindakot with the plan of operating the cruise throughout the year has the ability to travel even in big wind and water current. According to Dhungel, the project will connect Devghatdham, Maulakalika, Balmiki Ashram, Sauraha of Chitwan and Lumbini into a single tourism corridor.
Rhino Cruises is expected to blend domestic and international tourism, tying rivers, religious sites, natural beauty and luxury hospitality into one economic cycle. Deputy Mayor of Gaindakot Municipality, Shanti Koirala, Senior Vice President of District Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gaindakot, Nawalparasi, Chhabi Kandel, Chairperson of Hotel Entrepreneurs’ Association, Mukundapur, Maulakalika Area, Shiva Poudel, among others said that the cruise would play an important role in establishing the district as a tourism hub.
On the occasion, cruise member Badri Prasad Adhikari said that the operation of the cruise will increase employment by consuming local products.
He said that 50 people have been provided direct employment in cruise and hotel. Tekraj Pokhrel/RSS
