Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to lease out its four luxury catamarans at Bhitarkanika, Chilika lake and Mahanadi river in an attempt to promote river cruise tourism. Tourism department has floated tenders for this purpose.
In 2014, the state government had procured luxury catamarans under Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) plan for using them in selected water bodies of state for tourism/recreation purpose.
These catamarans are currently with Tourism department and docked at Bhitarkanika backwaters in Kendrapara district. To utilise them for tourism purposes, the Tourism department intends to give the catamarans to private operators on lease basis for augmentation, operations, marketing, management and maintenance, sources said.
Selected private operators will be allowed to operate and maintain the catamarans on lease for a period of 10 years.
Two catamarans will be operated as day cruise vessels at Bhitarkanika. The other two catamarans will be operated as overnight cruise vessels at Chilika lake and Mahanadi river.
These catamarans are single decker, 20-seater luxury boats, with twin diesel engines of 38 HP each, having a moderate speed of about 8 knots. The boat has two additional cabins on twin sharing basis with bath and bio-toilets.