Paradip, Dec. 23: The Bhitarkanika National Park has a new attraction - luxury cruiser boats.

In July 2014, the state forest department had procured the boats, designed by the naval architect division of the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, at a cost of Rs 4 crore under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme.

The luxury vessels, however, had been lying idle for over a year-and-a-half as the department failed to sanction any post for crew members to operate the state-of-the-art vessels.

The boats became operational recently after the forest department engaged eight crew members.

"The luxury boats, which have started plying between Gupti to Dangamal, provide an opportunity to visitors to experience the estuarine ecosystem and its flora and fauna," said officer of the Bhitarkanika mangrove (wildlife) forest division Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

Each of the boats can accommodate 20 tourists.

Besides being comfortable, the eco-friendly vessels are equipped with foolproof safety mechanism. The hiring charge has been fixed at Rs 2,200 per day with the fuel cost to be borne by the tourists, said Acharya.

The boats have become very popular with the tourists since they started plying. "The boat ride was an exhilarating experience. We enjoyed the ride along the creeks and water inlets of the park. We saw a couple of saltwater crocodiles basking in the sunlight," said Suvendu Rout, a tourist from Cuttack.

"We receive about 50,000 tourists every year. Our emphasis is on to ensure safe and comfortable sojourn for the visitors. The vessels are the latest attractions for tourists," said a senior official of the national park.