The country's first inter-state cruise between Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh to Kolkata via Orissa is being planned for tourists.    

''Talks are at an advanced stage as both Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have shown interest for this mutually beneficial tourism. We are trying to introduce the service before the end of this year,'' Orissa's tourism department director R N Nanda said.     

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The idea was proposed by Orissa Tourism Minister Debi Prasad Mishra and it was discussed with his Andhra Pradesh counterpart earlier this month in Hyderabad. He has also spoken to the West Bengal tourism minister on the matter.      

Under the project, tourists will travel by sea-route from Visakhapatnam to Kolkata with short stays at the famous tourist spots in Orissa. All facilities, including food would be provided.     

The project, according to Nanda, will be implemented in the public-private partnership (ppp) mode where a private party would operate the cruise. ''The proposal will take a concrete shape after signing of the MoU.''

Nanda said at least two steamers - one from West Bengal and another from Andhra Pradesh will be used and the expression of interest would be sought from the interested parties.     

Orissa, which has several tourist spots along the long coast line, would be benefitted by the project, the tourism officials said adding the potential survey has already been made.     

The proposed cruise line will have stops at the famous beach resorts Gopalpur-on-sea, Puri, Dhamara in Orissa and tourists can visit the nearby areas of tourist interest.     

''While we have the infastructure to anchor the vessel at Gopalpur-on-sea and Dhamara, we have to develop such facilities at Puri or nearby towns,'' said an officer of the tourism department.

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