Patna: The Rajmahal Ganga Cruise, travelling from Kolkata to Varanasi, has been stranded near Bhagalpur for several days after rising water levels and strong currents in the Ganga made further movement difficult.
The cruise was halted as a safety measure because there is reportedly insufficient clearance beneath the Simariya Bridge in Begusarai for its upper section to pass safely. The local administration and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are monitoring the situation.
Cruise Halted After Vikramshila Setu Crossing
The cruise crossed Vikramshila Setu in Bhagalpur on September 5 and was scheduled to continue towards the Simariya Bridge.
However, the rising water level of the Ganga has reduced the available clearance beneath the bridge. Authorities therefore decided against allowing the cruise to proceed until conditions improve.
Strong currents and the swollen river have also made navigation more difficult, according to the information provided by the authorities.
Nine Tourists Sent To Patna
Nine tourists were aboard the cruise when it was stopped in Bhagalpur. Two were of Indian origin, while the other seven were from the UK, New Zealand and the Netherlands.
The district administration arranged for all nine tourists to travel from Bhagalpur to Patna by train, allowing them to continue their onward journey while the cruise remains halted.
Cruise To Resume After Conditions Improve
The cruise is expected to remain in Bhagalpur until the Ganga’s water level falls sufficiently and adequate clearance becomes available beneath the Simariya Bridge.
Officials expect movement towards Varanasi to resume in the next two to three days, subject to river conditions. An Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) report has also indicated that navigation conditions remain a constraint.
The Rajmahal Ganga Cruise began its journey last month, covering historical, cultural and mythological destinations across West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
SDRF Monitoring Cruise
The local administration is continuing to monitor the cruise and river conditions. SDRF personnel are conducting boat patrols around the vessel to maintain its safety.
Officials are also keeping track of changes in the Ganga’s water level and the condition of the river before taking a decision on the cruise’s onward movement.
