Dec 13, 2010, PATNA: The state capital seems to have no dearth of innovative ideas aimed at attracting tourists and local revellers. After revolving and floating restaurants, a cruise will very soon be set afloat to ferry tourists from Patna collectorate ghat to Patna Saheb.
Patna Saheb is famous for Sikh pilgrim centre Harmandirji, the birthplace of tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It has been attracting lakhs of tourists from Punjab, its adjoining areas and overseas for years.
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 road route to Patna Saheb (also known as Patna city).
Director tourism, Bihar, Vinay Kumar said, "We are in touch with shipping cruise companies based in Howrah. 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, we will soon introduce another vessel, added Kumar. The fares will also be quite economical.
And another good news for foodies: Just adjacent to the jetty from where the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation-owned floating restaurant, MV Ganga Vihar, leaves for its daily river sojourns, is the much-hyped restaurant at the ghat, which will be inaugurated by month-end, said the director tourism.
It will serve as a base kitchen for the floating restaurant and will provide the much needed logistics as well. Kapil's Eleven at the Dak Bungalow crossing here will be catering for the base joint too. CM Nitish Kumar had inaugurated this novel restaurant on July 20 this year.