Is Ganga Vilas Cruise stuck in Bihar? Here's what officials say

Chhapra: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the much-awaited flagship Ganga Vilas Cruise from Varanasi on January 13. However, earlier today it was reported that the luxurious cruise which set off on its 51-day journey got stuck in Bihar’s Chhapra due to water deficiency in the Ganges near the Doriganj area of the district. As soon as the SDRF team received the information, they reached the spot to rescue tourists. The team reached in small boats so that tourists don't have to face difficulties in reaching Chirand Saran. Chhapra’s CO Satendra Singh who is a part of the arrangement-making team said that adequate arrangements have been made for the tourists in Chirand. 

“SDRF team is stationed at the ghat so that immediate action can be taken on any untoward situation. Due to less water, there is a problem in bringing the cruise to the shore. Therefore, efforts are being made to bring tourists through small boats,” he said. 

Also read: MV Ganga Vilas begins 51-day journey; peek inside luxurious, triple-deck cruise: PICS

However, as per the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) the Ganga Villas Cruise reached Patna as per schedule. "No truth in the news that the vessel is stuck in Chhapra, Bihar. The vessel will continue its onward journey as per schedule" said Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, IWAI. 

“The Ganga Villas reached Patna as per schedule. There is absolutely no truth in the news that the vessel is stuck in Chhapra. The vessel will continue its onwards journey as per schedule” : Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Chairman, IWAI — IWAI (@IWAI_ShipMin) January 16, 2023

Chirand Saran, situated 11 km southeast of Chhapra near Doriganj Bazar, is the most important archaeological site in the district. Stupanuma fillings built on the banks of the Ghaghra river are seen to be associated with Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim influences. However, owing to the shallow water at the shore, it was difficult to bring the cruise to the shore, officials said.

Ganga Vilas Cruise also has special features. Its speed is up to 12 kilometres per hour upstream and 20 kilometres downstream. The cruise has an RO system for drinking water, along with a sewage treatment plant. The cruise has all the necessary facilities for the convenience of the people and their needs. Its fare in India is Rs 25,000 a day, while in Bangladesh the fare is Rs 50,000 a day.

The luxury triple-deck cruise will travel on the world’s longest waterway from Varanasi to Dibrugarh in Assam. The cruise has a capacity of 80 passengers with 18 suits. This cruise will go on an adventurous journey for 51 days and pass through Bangladesh for 15 days.

Following this, it will go to Dibrugarh through the Brahmaputra river in Assam. The luxury cruise will cover a distance of more than 3,200 km and pass through 5 states in India and Bangladesh. The cruise will pass through a total of 27 river systems of UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Assam. The cruise will pass through three major rivers Ganga, Meghna, and Brahmaputra.

The cruise will enter the Bhagirathi, Hooghly, Bidyavati, Malata, and Sundarbans river systems in Bengal. In Bangladesh, it will pass through Meghna, Padma, and Jamuna and then enter the Brahmaputra in Assam.

According to an official statement, the 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sights, National Parks, river Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh and Guwahati in Assam. 

(With inputs from ANI)