Kolkata, Feb 24 (IANS): Tourists will soon get a chance to sail their way through the Ganga, to get a glimpse of remote historic and scenic spots in West Bengal, courtesy a heritage cruise connecting Kolkata to Patna.

In order to tap the tourism potential of the water-ways linking important heritage locales, the state government has inked a deal with Assam Bengal Navigation, a luxury river cruise operator, to ferry passengers aboard the luxury-liner M V Rajmahal.

"We have already started some river cruises. But we are all set to take a major step forward on Saturday. The luxury vessel will touch upon Bengal's major heritage spots on its way to Patna," said state Transport Minister Madan Mitra.

The luxury vessel will kick-off the tour from Millenium Park jetty in Kolkata and make its way through Barrackpore, Chandernagore, Kalna, Nabadwip, Mayapur, Plassey, Murshidabad, Farakka and upto Bhagalpur, Monghyr and Patna, stopping at these spots.

Mitra also said the state government is mulling launching a special river cruise from the city to Bangladesh.