In a conversation with FinancialExpress.com at the Adventure Tourism Meet in Shillong, Raj Singh, Founder of Antara River Cruises, shared his vision for the future of river tourism in India. As one of the foremost innovators in the sector, Singh has not only transformed the way people experience India’s rivers but also put the country on the global map for luxury inland cruising.
Antara River Cruises is the largest river cruise operator in South Asia, currently running 11 ships across multiple national waterways. “We operate on National Waterway 1, the Ganga, from Kolkata to Varanasi; on the Indo-Bangladesh route from Kolkata to Dhaka and Guwahati; on the Brahmaputra, which is National Waterway 2; and on National Waterway 5, the Rahmani river system in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park,” Singh explained. “We also plan to introduce river cruising in southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Kerala soon.”
A major milestone for the company came when the Ganga Vilas cruise—spanning 3,002 kilometres from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Kolkata and Dhaka—was inaugurated by the Prime Minister. Singh called it “a defining moment for Indian river tourism,” noting that it showcased the navigability and potential of India’s waterways to the world. “The Ganga Vilas journey opened up the waterways, made the world aware that Indian rivers are navigable, and positioned India firmly on the world map of river cruise tourism,” he said.
Reflecting on the Adventure Tourism Meet, Singh praised the event for bringing together both industry professionals and students. “It’s an excellent platform,” he said. “One of the most outstanding aspects is seeing so many young people participating—students from hospitality and tourism institutions. They are learning about adventure tourism, conservation, and future prospects. They are the ones who will drive sustainable adventure experiences in the years to come.”
Singh believes that river cruising, though distinct from traditional adventure sports, shares the same spirit of exploration and connection to nature. “River tourism is about discovering India’s soul through its waterways—it’s both immersive and transformative,” he noted. With Antara leading the way, and government support strengthening inland waterways, Singh envisions a future where India’s rivers become not just routes of transport, but journeys of cultural discovery.
At the close of the conversation, his message was clear: “We are pioneering a new tourism vertical for India. The rivers are our heritage, and through responsible tourism, we can make them a part of India’s growth story.”