Cruise to link Statue of Unity with Statue of Oneness

The plan aims to connect the two monuments through a dedicated Narmada River service, creating an inter‑state cultural corridor that highlights both Sardar Patel’s legacy and Adi Shankaracharya’s philosophy of unity. The cruise will run from the 597‑foot‑tall statue of Patel to the 108‑foot‑tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya.

Narayan Madhu, additional collector of the Statue of Unity Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority (SOUADTGA), told Deccan Chronicle that a new 600‑passenger luxury cruise, already introduced at Ektanagar, would ply on this route once statutory approvals and safety clearances are in place. The vessel, designed for sightseeing and events, features dining space for 250 guests and a performance deck, marking a shift from day trips to longer itineraries.

Alongside the cruise corridor, authorities are rolling out new attractions — a dam experience centre, water park, Forest Museum, Gujarat Vandana Museum, Museum of Tribal Freedom Fighters, Museum of the Royal Kingdoms of India and Veer Balak Udyan — to deepen visitor engagement in the township, which already attracts over five million tourists annually. These upgrades come as Ektanagar prepares to host the 72nd National Film Awards on September 22, only the second time the ceremony is being held outside Delhi.

The state has also opened registration for the October 31 National Unity Day parade at the township, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity and mark Sardar Patel’s 151st birth anniversary.

Spread over 56 sq km and covering nearly 90 villages, Ektanagar now draws about 50 lakh visitors a year to its 26 major attractions. The township is supported by 55 electric buses and a fleet of e‑rickshaws, e‑carts and e‑bicycles, promoting low‑emission mobility.

The development has transformed local livelihoods. Around 1,800 tribal women have gained direct employment, while nearly 7,000 others benefit through indirect jobs in hospitality, transport, construction and tourism services. Madhu said the tribal women run pink e‑rickshaws, food outlets and restaurants, with the Ekta Mahila Mandal providing financial support and skill‑building for tourism work. The initiative has helped families move beyond traditional dependence on agriculture and livestock.