Lucknow: A sharp debate unfolded in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council on Wednesday over the operation of government and private cruise services on the Ganga River in Varanasi. The discussion saw pointed questions from the Opposition and a detailed response from the state government.
Samajwadi Party member Ashutosh Sinha raised queries regarding the number of government and private cruises operating in Varanasi, the standards governing their operations, and whether the relevant details would be tabled in the House.
Responding to the concerns, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh stated that five government-run and two private cruises are currently operating in Varanasi. He clarified that operational standards are set by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority, and that full compliance with these norms is being ensured.
The minister further informed the House that a notification was issued on December 6, 2023, for the passage of the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority Bill, designating the Transport Department as the nodal department. He added that subsequent proceedings began on December 6, 2024, and emphasized that all necessary information is publicly available and can be provided to the House without objection.
During the debate, Jaiveer Singh accused the Opposition of raising questions without adequate information and remarked that the issue might not have been raised had they examined the details more closely. His comment briefly heightened political tensions in the House.
Highlighting tourism data, the minister claimed that the state has witnessed unprecedented growth in the tourism sector since 2017. He attributed this rise to the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. According to him, religious and spiritual cities, including Varanasi, are setting new benchmarks in tourism development across the state.
