The water sports arena in the state capital has shrunk considerably with the onset of summer because of receding water-level of the Ganga.

“There has been a sharp decline in the water-level near Gandhi Ghat and Mahendru Ghat, the starting points of the water sports facilities. As a result, the total area available for operation of the water sports equipment has reduced considerably,” said a senior officer of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC).

The officer, however, ruled out the possibility of temporary suspension of the water sports facilities.

He said: “The water level has receded considerably with the onset of summer. But it would be replenished once the glaciers in the upper Himalayan region melt. So, the possibility of the suspension of water sports activities is remote.”

The water sports activities at Gandhi Ghat and Mahendru Ghat come under the ambit of BSTDC — an undertaking of the state tourism department.

It offers the facilities in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode with Royale Ganges Pvt. Ltd at Gandhi Ghat and with Banjara Hotels Private Limited at Mahendru Ghat.

Royal Ganges Pvt. Ltd authorities are feeling the pinch of the scorching heat because a few water sports enthusiasts are turning up these days.

“Although we are open from 1pm to 7.30pm, the customers mostly come after 5pm because of extreme hot conditions during the afternoon hours. People, and even we, want the water sports activities to continue till 8.30 or 9pm. But we are unable to do so because of lack of sufficient lighting arrangements at the ghats and navigation lights on boats or water scooters. A navigational light comes for Rs 600 but the government does not provide any subsidy for it, which should have ideally been done as we operate in the PPP mode,” said Tejkar Jha, the director of Royale Ganges Pvt. Ltd.

A few water sports enthusiasts are turning up at the Ganga ghats these days because of the shrunk sports arena.

“Water sports are comparatively cheaper in Patna than the rest of the places in India and even in foreign countries. But the area in the Ganga has reduced considerably in the recent times. As a result, we cannot enjoy the games as we used to a few months ago,” said Pranav Kumar, a resident of Gardanibagh.