A radio taxi rolls out of Samvad Bhavan after the launch and (below) a girl enjoys water sports near Gandhi Ghat in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, Oct. 2: Residents of the state capital who wish to enjoy the water sports launched today at Gandhi Ghat will not have to worry about transport to get to the banks of the Ganga. They can just call for one of the 50 radio taxis that also made their debut today on the city roads.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar flagged off the fleet at Samvad Bhavan. Of the 50 cabs, Leeway Logistics owns 20, while the remaining 30 belong to Fleet X. Citizens just need to dial one of the two numbers — 2269999 for Leeway Logistics, and 6006000 for FleetX — to book an air-conditioned cab.

State tourism minister Sunil Kumar “Pintu” said: “There was a long-pending demand for a taxi service in the city. We are glad that we have been finally able to offer it on Gandhi Jayanti. These taxis are comfortable, safe and affordable.”

Each taxi is fitted with state-of-the-art facilities such as global positioning system (GPS), tamper-proof electronic meter, debit and credit card payment machines. You and I will be able to take a ride in these swanky cabs from October 4.

Residents are also upbeat about the launch. Boring Road resident Aastha Sinha said: “For people like me, who prefer comfort and privacy during travel, a taxi is the best option. The security measures of GPS and panic button also make these taxis an added draw.”

The taxi service, however, was not the only gift on offer for the residents on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The tourism minister also launched water sports — a speedboat and jet-ski — on river Ganga at Gandhi Ghat today.

Sunil took a ride on one of the speedboats that moves at 40 nautical miles per hour. “We will soon have five more jet-skis and speed boats,” he said.