Jalpaiguri: The Bengal tourism minister, Gautam Deb, said on Sunday that "luxury" cruise boats would be introduced on the Hooghly river for sight-seeing.

The minister said the cruise trips would initially be launched between Calcutta and the Sunderbans.

"The tourism department has decided to buy eight cruise boats which will be used for luxury trips from Calcutta to various attractive places, adjacent to the city and on the banks of the Hooghly river. Tourists can enjoy the cruise to the Sunderbans and watch wildlife," Deb said.

The minister said the department had already purchased two cruise boats and preliminarily, they would be used for the trip between Calcutta and the Sunderbans.

"Our plan is to include locations like Bakkhali and Sajnekhali later in the itinerary. We are also planning to start trips to destinations like Belur and Dakshineswar and on some other routes along the river," said Deb.

Sources in the tourism department said each boat would have a capacity of 20 seats, besides cafeteria, restaurant, TV, Wi-fi, bio-toilets and a separate dining room.

The department is yet to work out the tariff for business and economy classes.

The boats can be chartered for a day-long meeting and get-togethers.

"We are yet to fix the tariff and the hiring charges. Two cruises have already reached and we are expected to receive the other six by April. We will also float a plan for tourists and local people to enjoy a river trip during the Durga Puja," the minister said.

The tourism department, Deb said, was also in the process of checking out the infrastructure of jetties and ferry stations on either bank of the Hooghly, particularly at locations like Howrah, Barrackpore and Serampur.