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| A couple takes a stroll on the bank of Ganga in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha |
Patna, Feb. 14: For the lovers of the 21st century space is not a problem, especially with the Ganga around.
Love flowed today along the banks of the river.
Closer you went to the other side of the Ganga, stronger became the current of love. The spot on the other side of the river is being developed by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation as a tourist spot. Today, college students, newly married couples as well as families thronged the place.
Anjani Kumar, a businessman and resident of Kankerbagh area who had come to enjoy the day with his wife at the spot, said: “This year we thought of celebrating the day in a peaceful atmosphere and so we opted to come to this place.”
Even though the moral police did not target couples this year, some couples chose to skip restaurants and parks to avoid and unpleasant incident.
“The bank of the Ganga is usually not on the protesters’ radar, making it a safer place,” said a visitor.
Many students of Patna University (PU) were found sitting with their partners. With most of PU colleges located close to the river, this place is automatically the first choice for college students.
Its affordability is another factor drawing the people. A boat ride up and down the river costs just Rs 20. Navin Jha, a student of Darbhanga House of Patna University who had come to spend the day with his girlfriend said: “When we come to this place, we do not have to worry about the cost factor. If we go to a restaurant we would have to spend at least Rs 200, while we can spend a much longer time here spending a tenth of the amount.”
To add to the serenity of the place, there are restaurants built by the state’s tourism development corporation. “One can easily get cold drinks, snacks, and junk food here, even though their prices are a little higher than in the city,” Surya Prakash, the canteen in-charge said, adding the place can easily be developed as a tourist spot.
Prakash said: “This year, we have arranged for kites and sporting facilities. Moreover, tourists can also ride camels. The corporation is planning to make arrangements for elephant and horse rides at the spot.” However, people who came to celebrate Valentine’s Day complained that there should be more security and improved power facilities in the area.
Sumit Gupta, who had come with his girlfriend, said there are frequent clashes between people mainly because of the lack of security arrangement. “Many times, people, mainly students, clash with residents of the area and destroy the crops grown by villagers,” he said.
Navin Kumar, the deputy general manager of state tourism development corporation, said: “In the coming days, we plan to have more boating facilities along with water scooters and more restaurants and amusement arrangements for the tourists.”