Cruise ship begins commercial operation in Narayani River

By Our Correspondent,Chitwan, Jan. 16: The cruise ship (small water vessel) which was not able to operate commercially despite the completion of the construction, has been opened for the general public in the Narayani River from Sunday.

The cruise ship is operating from Kavreghat, about nine kilometres south of Narayangadh, the city in the district headquarters Bharatpur. The ship made three trips on Sunday, said Deepak Dhungel, Executive Director of Rhino Water Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., the company that operates the facility on the river. 

“Now the ship will be in regular operation,” he said.

Test operation of the cruise ship was made about two years ago. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and some policy disruptions, the cruise ship could not come in regular operation. Dhungel informed that the cruise ship has been put into operation after completing all required processes. The three-storey ship with the capacity of 200 passeners moved on the waters of the river at 1 PM in the afternoon. On Sunday, at 1 o’clock, he was walking on the river with a passenger. 

Passengers traveling by it are insured for an accident worth Rs. 1 million. The ticket price to board the cruise ship is Rs. 700, breakfast cruise Rs. 1500, lunch cruise Rs. 2000 and dinner cruise Rs. 2500.

After the trip, Fanindra Dahal of Kalika Municipality said that it was a new experience to travel in a ship in Nepal. He came with his family and said that this area has become a new destination, now he will come to have fun with his friends.

Keshave Poudel of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-10 said that the cruise ship should not be compared with the one that runs in the sea. “It has a different experience and importance,” he said. “Sailing is a big issue in Nepal. I believe that it will now establish a new position in Nepal’s tourism sector,” he said. 

The ship will make cruise trips from Kavreghat, Bharatpur-16, Mangalpur to Devghat – a holy place at the confluence of the Kaligandaki and Trishuli rivers, but for the time being it will be operated for short trips only since the water level in the river has gone down significantly. 

According to Dhungel, the complete trip will be made when there is enough water in the river. After the water level increases, it will be brought from Kavreghat to Devghat. Cruise ship has obtained the permission to operate up to 40 km distance. The ship has space that can be used to hold weddings, parties and any other events. The company said that this ship will help in boosting water tourism. More than 500 people enjoyed the cruise trip on Sunday.