Travel

A Ganges Cruise to Patna Sahib

Based on News Report by POOJA KASHYAP

Patna, Bihar, India

With elections over in the State of Bihar and an overwhelming mandate handed to the incumbent Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, the state capital seems to be seriously looking for innovative ideas aimed at attracting tourists. The government and the people of the state are desperate to put behind them the lost years under Lallu Prasad Yadav and his motley crew.

In an attempt to breathe new life, after revolving and floating restaurants, a cruise will very soon be set afloat to ferry tourists from Patna Collectorate ghat, along the Ganges for several miles, to Patna Sahib.

Patna Sahib is famous for one of five Takhts (thrones of temporal authority) of Sikhism marking the birthplace of the Tenth Master, Guru Gobind Singh. It attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees and tourists from around the world every year.

A river route to carry these tourists as well as local visitors will be opened soon to save the tourists from traffic jams that usually greet the passengers throughout the ancient road that meanders its way through narrow and crowded bazaars to Patna Sahib (formerly known as Patna City).

Director of Bihar Tourism, Vinay Kumar said, "We are in touch with shipping cruise companies based in Howrah (Calcutta, West Bengal). We will try to start this cruise service as soon as possible, which will be a huge relief for the travellers."

According to him, they are looking for smaller vessels that can carry between 50 to 150 passengers. In between the route, there will be two to three stoppage points. In the beginning we will start with one vessel and depending upon the response of people, another vessel will be introduced soon thereafter, added Kumar. The fares will also be quite economical.

[Courtesy: Times of India]

December 14, 2010

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