Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is planning to operate day cruise service at five selected water bodies with private sector participation to boost tourism in the State.

In this regard, the Department of Tourism has invited an Expression of Interest (EoI) for organising day cruises at Chilika, Mahanadi, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia Gorge and Hirakud.

The upcoming project will be carried out in accordance with the conditions and manner prescribed in the Expression of Interest document.

Worth mentioning, Odisha has a long coast line measuring approximately 482 km, five major rivers, reservoirs and water bodies including Chilika, the largest brackish water lake of Asia.

To unlock the tremendous tourism potential, the State Government is looking forward to developing day cruises at five attractive water bodies.

Already, Odisha Tourism Policy, 2016 offers many fiscal incentives to projects like water sports, adventure sports, house boat, cruise tourism project, aquarium and aqua-park with a purpose to promote private sector investments. Following the Centre made fiscal incentives under large revenue project scheme for projects like cruise vessels, cruise terminals, Odisha Government has framed Odisha Boat Rule, 2017 to regulate water sports activities in the State.

With this background, the Tourism Department has invited the EoI from applicants for the cruise project.

The proposals are invited from the potential investors or experienced operators clearly specifying locations listed above (but not limited to), location specific project plans, operational mechanism, proposed activities to be carried out, support expected from the State Government, approximate project cost etc. for consideration at this end, the Tourism Department said in the EoI.

If an applicant wants to submit EoI for more than one location, can submit project plan, operational mechanism, proposed activities, approximate project cost for each location separately.

The shortlisted agencies shall be required to make a presentation before the Committee to be constituted by Tourism Department for the specific project. The date of the presentation shall be communicated later on, the Department said.

The last date for proposal submission has been fixed for July 10, 2020.