Ganga Vilas Cruise’s short layover upsets govt’s plans

Ranchi: The state government will miss out on the opportunity to showcase its tourist places along the Ganges to a group of foreign nationals when the newly launched Ganga Vilas Cruise enters the state’s waters on January 23.
The state government’s plans to create a buzz among the foreign tourists and attract more footfall is being marred by the schedule of the cruise’s entry and exit from the state.
Officials here on Wednesday said the cruise, which set sail from Varanasi on January 13, will arrive at the Samda Ghat in Sahibganj on the evening of January 23. The vessel will remain docked at the ghat overnight and will resume its onward journey to West Bengal through Rajmahal the next morning.
Senior officials in the state government had in tandem with the Sahibganj district administration chalked out four prominent tourist places for the tourists. These are Udhwa bird sanctuary, the newly opened fossil park, Moti Falls in Taljhari block and the multi-modal terminal.
Plans were also drawn up to host a cultural event for the tourists on board the cruise and lay out culinary delights of the region. “However, the schedule of the cruise dampened everything as it would reach Samda Ghat around 7 pm and leave the next morning,” a senior official in Ranchi, who was involved with the planning, told TOI on condition of anonymity.
Pradeep Kumar, joint transport commissioner of Jharkhand and the nodal officer for the cruise, said: “Owing to the very short stay of the cruise, we will be showcasing the tourist destinations of Jharkhand to the tourists through a digital presentation. Our endeavour would be to ensure a longer stop in Jharkhand for the cruise during its next sail so that we can showcase our tourist sites along the Ganges.”
The cruise will enter Jharkhand through Bateshwarthan in Bhagalpur (Bihar) and reach Samda Ghat 54 kilometres away. “The vessel will be escorted by police patrol boats and there would be heavy security arrangements at the Samda Ghat. The district administration will also provision high mast lights and other paraphernalia at the Ghat,” Kumar added.