To make the much awaited Durga puja more exciting this year, West Bengal govt has to kick-started a heritage river cruise along the Hooghly river.
This new addition of 90-minute guided trip was flagged off on Thursday evening. At a ticket price of just Rs 39, tourists and locals can now sail past the various landmarks of Kolkata dotting the river bank.
“The idea is to make leisure riverine transport accessible and affordable for all,” Rajanvir Singh Kapur, MD of West Bengal Transport Corporation, told media.
The cruise vessel will run daily, starting from Millennium Park jetty and sail past many historically important landmarks of the City of Joy such as Mayer Ghat in Bagbazar which was visited by Ma Sarada, Babughat where Durga idols are immersed, the towering Vidyasagar Setu and the burning ghat of Nimtala where several eminent personalities have been cremated such as Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose and Rabindranath Tagore and return to the same venue.
Passengers will be able to witness the breathtaking view of the Howrah bridge, lit up by multi-colored LED lights as the vessel sails beneath the iconic structure. Eden Gardens and Howrah Station are the other iconic spots that will be visible on the tour.
Selfie booths have been installed onboard for millennials to capture the city skyline.Guests will be able to buy packed snacks and hot beverage from the Cruise Café. Drinking water and a complimentary cruise heritage navigation brochure will also be provided to each guest. Keeping coronavirus protocols in mind, not more than 150 people will be allowed on each trip to ensure adequate social distancing.
The cruise will operate twice daily at 4pm and 6pm on weekdays, with two additional slots at 12pm and 2pm on weekends and holidays.
The ride will include a free tour guide to help visitors identify the important landmarks and inform them about their historical background.
Tickets have to be booked at the WBTC offline ticket counter. They may offer special booking arrangements in the future for such tours.
