Ganga riverfront: Three more ghats to come up by June

PATNA: The 6.6km-long promenade on the banks of the Ganga, officially known as Patna Ganga Riverfront Development (RFD) project, is likely to get extra grandeur with the introduction of laser shows from June this year.
Apart from laser show, the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation (BUIDCO), an agency of the state urban development and housing department (UDHD), has also decided to develop three more ghats – Bhadra Ghat, Mahavir Ghat and Nauzar Ghat – by June this year.Work on setting up infrastructure for laser shows would begin next month.

A senior BUIDCO official said the UDHD has been urged to sanction Rs180 crore for construction of pathway on the three proposed ghats and introduction of other facilities, including laser shows.
Chandrashekhar Singh, managing director of BUIDCO, said the proposed amenities would be developed at the three ghats by the end of June. “Of the 20 ghats in the first phase of Ganga RFD project, 16 have already been developed. Bhadra Ghat, Mahavir Ghat and Nauzar Ghat will now be taken up under phase 1 of the project. Laser shows will also be introduced to make the riverfront more attractive,” Singh said.
Food kiosks, water pumps, landscaping, electric crematorium, high mast lights, sitting kiosks, benches, watchtowers and urinals are some of the facilities proposed to be developed in the remaining three ghats.
Chandrashekhar said there will be 16 approach roads to reach 19 ghats between Collectorate Ghat and Nauzar Ghat.
Meanwhile, promenades or pathways along the 16 ghats in the city between Collectorate Ghat and Rani Ghat have become a major attraction for residents. People visit the ghats from early in the morning. Fitness enthusiasts visit the place for morning walk, exercise and performing yoga.
Students from various schools, colleges and universities also spend time with their friends and study in groups. It has become a picnic hotspot for families, while lovebirds also spend time in the sitting kiosks.
Some major attractions are decorative lights, Madhubani painting on walls, decorated sitting kiosks, landscape, boat ride, 50-seater ship – MV Kautilya – which is run by the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and Ganga aarti in the evening.
BUIDCO has also developed an eco-centre at Collectorate Ghat and an audio-visual theatre centre at Baharwa Ghat, which would soon be handed over to Patna Municipal Corporation.
Visitors can see the artworks related to the Ganga, get information of its origin, river- course and its tributaries at the eco-centre. At audio-visual theatre, a short film based on Ganga will be shown to visitors.