In a significant move to elevate river tourism and maritime infrastructure in India, Antara Cruises has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Transport Department at the prestigious Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) 2025. The agreement cements Antara Cruises’ commitment to investing ₹800 crore over the next five years to expand luxury river cruise services, develop shipbuilding facilities, and position West Bengal as India’s premier river tourism hub.

Raj Singh, Founder & Chairman of Antara Cruises – Heritage River Journeys Pvt. Ltd., stated: “West Bengal boasts some of the most stunning river routes, rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. This collaboration with the government allows us to fully harness the potential of river tourism, providing travelers with exceptional experiences while generating employment, supporting local communities, and fostering sustainable tourism. Our focus goes beyond luxury travel – we aim to cultivate a prosperous and responsible river economy.”

With this fresh investment, the company will construct new cruise vessels at Kolkata’s shipyards, modernizing the maritime sector while preserving the rich heritage of river navigation.

The investment is also expected to create thousands of jobs, with 70-80% of these opportunities targeted for local skilled workers and laborers. This agreement is part of a broader initiative, with the West Bengal government signing three MoUs during BGBS 2025 focused on clean and sustainable mobility solutions. The Transport Department will support Antara Cruises’ expansion by granting access to existing jetties and leasing additional jetties to accommodate the growing fleet, ensuring seamless operations for the company’s river cruises.

Antara Cruises is committed to sustainability, implementing sewage treatment and waste management protocols while reducing single-use plastics to ensure minimal environmental impact.