Visitors on board MV Ganga Vihar on Monday after the floating restaurant reopened last weekend. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Oct. 10: MV Ganga Vihar, the only floating restaurant in the city, became operational from the last weekend after remaining closed since August.

The restaurant was closed in the second week of August as the Ganges was flowing above the danger mark in the state capital. Authorities said MV Ganga Vihar could now operate safely as the water level of the river had receded.

The authorities have, however, made some minor changes in the timings of MV Ganga Vihar’s operation and that of Ganga aarti.

“Since the water level of the Ganges has receded, we have resumed the operation of the floating restaurant. It will take some more time to complete the permanent repair work of the existing jetty and the gangway at Gandhi Ghat. We have provided additional support to the jetty and ensured proper anchoring facilities before reopening the restaurant,” said Navin Kumar, deputy general manager of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).

The corporation is running the floating restaurant between Gandhi Ghat and Gai Ghat since July 21, 2009.

The high level of the river water in mid-August had elevated the gangway connecting to the jetty at Gandhi Ghat, The swirling waters had also shifted both the existing jetty and the gangway from their original position. On the other hand, MV Ganga Vihar could not get a strong anchor at the jetty at Gandhi Ghat because of the strong river current.

The BSTDC has also ordered for a floating jetty and a floating gangway for MV Ganga Vihar. “We have placed purchase orders for the jetty and the gangway. Such jetties and gangways will not be damaged either by high tide or by the tidal waves of the Ganges. The jetty and the gangway are likely to be delivered by the end of this month,” Navin added.

People visiting the floating restaurant will have to reschedule their plans a little. “The restaurant will open at 4.30pm on weekdays instead of the earlier timing of 5pm. Their will be two trips on weekends — the first at 4.30-5.30pm and the second one during the Ganga aarti that will begin at 5.30pm,” the BSTDC deputy general manager said.

The hour-long pleasure trip will take the visitors from Gandhi Ghat to Collectorate Ghat on the upstream journey. The downstream trip will cross Gandhi Setu and head to the Inland Waterways Authority jetty and Gai Ghat before returning to Gandhi Ghat.

Apart from the daily trips, the restaurant also offers daily packages such as pleasure trip, breakfast trip, lunch trip, dinner trip and corporate booking.

On the change in the timing of the Ganga aarti at Gandhi Ghat on Saturday and Sunday, Navin said: “As the time of sunset is changing with the onset of winter, the Ganga aarti will start from 5.30pm instead of 6.15pm.”

An added attraction for visitors during winter at the Ganga ghats will be water sports facilities. “We have already received four water scooters that will soon start functioning from Mahendru Ghat,” he added.