Visitors to Belur Math and Dakshineswar can take a ferry from Millennium Park for a trip lasting over five hours as part of a package tour that the West Bengal transport department is set to introduce from Sunday.
A guide will be on board the ferry that will take visitors to the two popular destinations on either side of the Hooghly.
The launch will leave Millennium Park on weekends and holidays at 3pm and the passengers will get to witness the evening aarti and prayers at the Dakshineswar temple and Belur Math.
The trip, which will last 5 hours and 15 minutes, will cost Rs 640 per person and include complimentary refreshment.
“We want to offer package trips to places close to Kolkata for those who want to go out on weekends and enjoy a hassle-free journey,” transport minister Snehasis Chakraborty said.
“We will later do a review to find out which routes are viable.” “We have also drawn up a package for travelers to enjoy a launch and bus ride to the Shibpur botanical garden from Howrah,” an official of the department said.
“The three-hour trip will cost Rs 370 per person. Tourists will be taken to the garden on a Volvo bus from the Shibpur ferry ghat, where they will reach by launch from Howrah.”
The launch will leave Howrah at 11am.
The department will also run Volvo buses between Kolkata and a few popular destinations, including Bakkhali, Mayapur, Bandel church, Furfura Sharif and Tarapith, from September 16.
Except for Tarapith, the rest will be day trips and will cost between Rs 350 and Rs 600. The Tarapith trip, which will include a night halt, will cost Rs 900.
“The buses will leave from Esplanade bus stand and the fares are of round trips. Tickets can be bought from counters at Esplanade,” Chakraborty said.
All trips are scheduled for weekends and holidays.