CHITWAN: Preparation for the operation of boat service on Narayani River has been going on in full swing in Chitwan district.

Addressing a press meet in Bharatpur on Saturday, the river cruise operator Rhino Water Entertainment Pvt Ltd informed that the boat capable of ferrying 200 tourists will start operation before Dashain this year. The operator added that preparation for the cruise was on its last stage and will be launched to coincide with the Visit Nepal Year 2020 announced by the government.

A feasibility study was conducted before the company began preparations for the river cruise ship on Narayani river, said Managing Director of the company, Ram Chandra Kandel. Under the feasibility study, research has been conducted regarding the impact of such cruise on the environment including animal habitat, and security of tourists.

According to Kandel, a port, and a boat measuring 100 feet in length and 25 feet in width are being constructed on the bank of Narayani in Kavreghat inside Gyaneshwor Community Forest of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-16. The construction works have been going on since March. The company has an agreement with the community forest for a period of 20 years to operate the boat and port, he added.

The construction and operation of the river cruise is to be carried out at an estimated cost of around Rs 35 million. The cruise will be operated solely for tourism purpose and in three shifts, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided for the tourists, Kandel informed. Each cruise will last for three hours.

The cruise will operate from Kavreghat to Golaghat in the west direction and Devghat to the north to let the tourists observe the religious areas of Devghat and rare animals in Golaghat.