Ganga Vilas, the world’s longest luxury river cruise, has reached Patna and will continue its onward journey as per schedule. This was said by the government on Monday while debunking reports that the vessel was stuck in Chhapra. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a release stated that the cruise vessel sailed as per its schedule on National Waterways.
Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) chairman Sanjay Bandopadhyaya also disapproved news reports that claimed the vessel was stuck in Chhapra. The ports, shipping and waterways ministry said,”There is absolutely no truth in the news that the vessel is stuck at Chhapra. The anchoring place and mode of transport of tourists to the bank is decided by the cruise operator depending on safety and privacy of its passengers.”
The cruise vessel sailed as per its schedule on National Waterways 1 (NW-1) anchoring at Ghazipur on January 13, 2023, Buxar on January 14, 2023 and Mauzampur (Arrah) on January 15 2023. After stopping at Doriganj on January 16, 2023 the cruise vessel reached Patna on January 16 ,2023 at 4.45 PM, the release said, adding that all through its journey the waterway levels were fully maintained and monitored for the required draft of with navigation facilities.
The statement said as per the planned itinerary the tourist also visited destinations en-route, including Doriganj to see the ruins of a fort. Tourists were taken to the bank from the vessel using the tug boat to ensure their safety and privacy, it added. The statement said draft of waterway at Doriganj is 3.5 m much above the vessel draft requirement of 1.4 m.
IWAI said in a tweet quoting Bandopadhyaya clarified: “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.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi last week flagged off ‘MV Ganga Vilas’ cruise from Varanasi, which will travel 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems.
