Halted by Nature: MV Ganga Vilas Unable to Reach Varanasi Due to Low Water Levels; Tourists Arrive by Road

The world's longest luxury river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, was forced to turn back at Patna due to low water levels in the Ganges. Read how the foreign tourists completed their journey to Varanasi on DALIMSS News.

DALIMSS News Bureau | Varanasi

The journey of the world’s longest luxury river cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, faced an unexpected hurdle this week as nature intervened in its schedule. The vessel, which was en route to Varanasi, was forced to terminate its upstream journey at Patna due to critically low water levels in the Ganges (National Waterway-01).

While the ship could not dock at the ghats of Kashi, the spirit of the journey remained unbroken as the tourists were safely transported to the holy city by road.

Stuck at Patna: Safety First The cruise had departed from Kolkata on November 12, carrying 30 foreign tourists hailing from Germany, Switzerland, and the USA. The voyage was progressing smoothly until it reached the waters near Patna, Bihar.

Upon assessment, navigation experts deemed the water depth in the stretch between Patna and Varanasi insufficient for the massive vessel to proceed safely. Prioritizing passenger safety and vessel integrity, the decision was made on Friday to turn the cruise back toward Kolkata.

The Journey Continues: From River to Road Ensuring that the guests did not miss out on the cultural essence of their trip, the cruise management quickly arranged alternative transport. The group of 30 tourists was shifted to luxury buses and brought to Varanasi by road.

Despite the change in logistics, the tourists' itinerary remains packed with the spiritual highlights of Kashi. They are scheduled to:

Visit the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Explore the historical site of Sarnath.

Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Background: A Flagship Initiative This voyage marked what would have been the MV Ganga Vilas's third trip to Varanasi since its historic inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2023. The cruise has been a symbol of India's growing river tourism potential.

Reports indicate that while 25 of the tourists will return after the tour, five have fallen in love with the spiritual vibe of the city and have opted to extend their stay in Kashi.

Key Takeaways The Incident: MV Ganga Vilas halted at Patna due to low water depth.

The Passengers: 30 tourists from Germany, Switzerland, and the USA.

The Outcome: Tourists reached Varanasi by bus to complete their pilgrimage and sightseeing.

Tags: #VaranasiNews #MVGangaVilas #RiverTourism #Kashi #Banaras #GangaAarti #NationalWaterway1 #DALIMSS #TravelUpdate