The Ganga Retreat: Adrenaline junkies, now engage in water sports along the Ganges

Giving a boost to tourism, water sports will now be carried out along the banks of the mighty Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. Water tourism will incorporate development of water transport, adventure sports, and more tourist places alongside the river.

With this, the incredible annual 'Ganga Water Rally' will also be conducted this month, and is slated to see the participation of more than 50 players. For the same, the Boat Club is expected be inaugurated in Kanpur later in November.

Survey teams have been appointed to study the specifics and choose ideal locations for the water sports. Road and boat pathways from the Atal Ghat of Kanpur to Allahabad will also be mapped where various facilities of network coverage, emergency services, police and medical facilities nearby will be noted.

"The route of the Ganga stream through the river, the water flow, the depth of the water and the places of short rest in between each section will also be identified," Neeraj Srivastava, secretary of Kanpur Boat Club, said.

This year, at the rally, "the first stop will be Buxar in Unnao, second in Dalmau in Rae Bareli, third at Kalakankar in Pratapgarh, fourth at Shringverpur in Prayagraj and the fifth and last at Prayagraj Boat Club in Prayagraj. The survey of the river route before organising a five-day Ganga rally is necessary," he said.

Every year, Prayagraj hosts the Ganga Water Rally for the adventurers and adrenaline junkies alike, where engaging watersports are conducted for a few days. Brimming as a huge festival in Uttar Pradesh, the underlying aim is to promote tourism. A widespread rally through the holy waters commences from Prayagraj and finishes at Varanasi. 'Clean Ganga' campaigns also run simultaneously while rowboats, canoes, and kayaks are used throughout.