People in Patna, the capital of Bihar, can now enjoy a magnificent cruise ride on the waves of the River Ganges. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) has revived its famous 'Ganga Vihar Cruise Service' with a completely new and modern look. Official operations for tourists commenced on Monday. Given the summer season, regular operations will currently take place on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Under new management, this double-decker cruise has been equipped with an attractive interior and world-class amenities. The luxurious cruise can accommodate 65 tourists at a time. The lower deck features a fully air-conditioned dining area where guests can savor delicious cuisine. Meanwhile, the upper deck boasts an open-sky deck and a fantastic dance floor, which are expected to be major attractions for the youth and families.

The Ganga Vihar cruise journey will begin every Saturday and Sunday at 5:00 PM from Patna's historic Gandhi Ghat. From there, the cruise will sail to Gaighat and return to Gandhi Ghat. The fare for this one-and-a-half-hour journey, which concludes at 6:30 PM, has been set at ₹899 per person. Notably, this ticket price includes 'high tea' and snacks for the tourists.

During this entertaining journey, tourists will experience a unique blend of spirituality and modernity. Passengers can witness the famous Ganga Aarti and enjoy melodious recorded music played on board. Additionally, special guides will be available on the cruise to share stories about Patna's historic and rich cultural heritage.

Apart from individual tourists, special packages are also available for groups or families wishing to book the entire cruise for private events, such as birthdays or get-togethers. The hourly rate for booking the cruise has been fixed at ₹22,500, inclusive of the cruise fare, security crew charges, and GST. Additionally, for a special 3-hour package, rates have been set at ₹3,200, ₹2,945, and ₹2,550 per person for groups of 20, 40, and 60 people, respectively; these rates include meals and refreshments.

The Bihar government has launched an excellent initiative to boost tourism while simultaneously encouraging local entrepreneurs. Under this scheme, startups recognized by Bihar's Department of Industries (DPIIIT) will be provided free space on the cruise to host their business meetings. This will offer the state's new businesses access to a superb and unique corporate environment.

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