Visitors to Patratu miss 'cruise' boat rides

Ramgarh: Tourists visiting the picturesque Patratu Lake Resort, which is owned and maintained by the state tourism department in Ramgarh district, are missing "cruise" rides as the two multi-seater cruise boats are still in Prayagraj.

A 65-seater air-conditioned "cruise" boat and another 100-seater non-air-conditioned one were sent to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh festival this year. They were yet to be brought back.

A Gujarat-based tour agency operates the cruises at the resort, and the 65-seater cruise was pressed into service on March 4, 2023, in the wake of the G20 delegation's visit here. Later, another 100-seater non-AC cruise was also brought in, and both were used for joyrides.

Anand Kumar from Giridih, who visited the resort with friends recently, said he and his friends missed out on riding the cruise. "We had to be content with motorboats," he added.

Senior manager of the Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) and in-charge of Patratu Lake Resort, Arun Kumar Singh, said, "The private agency which used to run the cruise hasn't brought them back yet here. They are independent in taking a call on their operations."

Over the years, the Patratu Lake Resort has turned into a popular tourist destination. In January 2023, G20 science and technology delegates visited the resort. The Election Commission of India also held meetings with all 24 deputy commissioners of the state for the summary revision of voter enrolment ahead of parliamentary as well as assembly elections.