Bihar is providing an opportunity for individuals to enjoy the magnificence of the mighty Ganga. The Bihar government has decided to introduce two ro-ro cruise vessels shortly. These ro-ro services will allow people to traverse the Ganga more extensively and diversely. The services will be inaugurated in Bhagalpur and Patna. The service from Patna will commence shortly. Meanwhile, the Forest Department has been approached for permission to operate the passenger ship from Bhagalpur, as the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary is situated along the route of the cruise. The Forest Department is assessing whether the habitat of the Ganga dolphins, which are classified as protected, would be impacted by the ro-ro service.
The upcoming ro-ro service will benefit both tourists and locals alike. The cruise vessel will have the capacity to carry 300 passengers at a time, making four to five trips in a day. There is also the option of booking the entire cruise ship for special events. The ticket rates for the ro-ro service have not been published yet, but the rates are expected to be relatively low. MV Ganga Vihar, a floating restaurant launched by the Bihar Tourism Department in February, charges Rs 300 per person. The MV Ganga Vihar Yatra departs at various times, such as 11 am, 3 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. The floating AC restaurant with a capacity of 48 persons, starts its trip from Gandhi Ghat.
