Water sports kicks off in city

PATNA: Tourists' hot spot Goa seemed to have come to the state capital on Sunday as water sports was inaugurated by state tourism minister Sunil Kumar Pintu at the Gandhi Ghat here. About 100 Patnaites had a gala time as water boat and jet ski gave them a never-before experience.
"During boat ride, I didn't feel I was cruising in Ganga. I felt I was in Goa," an elated minister told TOI after enjoying a 20-minute ride along with tourism department's principal secretary Deepak Kumar, director, Bihar tourism, D K Shukla and BSTDC GM Shailendra Kumar.Pintu took the ride after inaugurating the facility.
"Ganga aarti at Gandhi Ghat has been drawing a large crowd. There was nothing for youths. Water sports facility is especially for them," Pintu added.
The city-based Royale Water Sports (RWS) has brought water recreation facilities here in public-private partnership with BSTDC.
The authorities have made adequate safety arrangements. Three trained divers — one of them an ex-navy rescuer, have been hired to thwart any untoward incident. Anyone indulging in water adventure is provided with life jacket. The sports facility is available to visitors from 9am to 6pm or before sunset.
A large number of adventurists had arrived at the ghat on Sunday morning, much before the facility was to be inaugurated. A security test was done and people were allowed to take a ride on jet ski and water boat even before the inauguration.
The event was not without suspense. The spectators and authorities rose in fear and started shouting when the jet ski, running at 50km per hour, toppled midway in flooded Ganga. Two riders along with the driver fell in deep water near Mahendru Ghat. As the spectators panicked, RWS's water boat, which was also carrying adventurists, was immediately rushed to rescue them.
In the meantime, due to water current the jet ski got into its correct (skiing) position. Its driver, an expert, got both of the floating children back on the jet and drove them to the jetty. The incident reassured the spectators about the adventure's safety.
The floating restaurant run by BSTDC, which was out of service for the last 45 days, also started working on Sunday.