These cruises will operate between Prinsep Ghat in Kolkata and Azimgunj in Murshidabad.

“About five luxury cruises will be imported for the purpose. Each cruise will have 32 cabins that can accommodate 64 passengers,” informed an IL&FS official.

“It will be one of its kinds in India, next only to the luxury house boats in Kerala,” he added.

“We have also identified certain heritage buildings along the river for hotels. The hotels and the cruise will together attract a lot of tourists to these places,” said TVN Rao, Managing Director, WBTDC.

All the cruises will have conference rooms, theatres and game rooms. The tariff has been fixed at Rs 11,000 for two nights and three days for one couple.

“We have never really been able to use full potential of these places. The cruise could change the face of tourism here,” added Rao.

The suggested itinerary offers two nights and three days on the cruise with day stops at Chandernagore, Serampore, Plassey and Mayapur.

The package would include food, lodging, transport and tourist guides.

WBTDC is also planning to operate day trips with smaller air-conditioned high speed transit boats with a seating capacity of 20, 40 and 60 passengers.

A two-way ticket will cost about Rs 500.