Rishikesh News: After about two and a half months, river rafting operations in the Ganga river are going to start again from today i.e. 23 September. This announcement has created a wave of enthusiasm among rafting businessmen and tourists. Tourists will be able to enjoy rafting from Brahmapuri and Marine Drive, where hundreds of tourists come for rafting every day.

On June 30, river rafting operations were stopped due to heavy rains and rising water level in the river. During this time, business activities had come to a standstill, due to which rafting businessmen and guides suffered financial losses. Now after about two and a half months, rafting operations are being started once again due to the decrease in the water level.

Enthusiasm among businessmen
Rafting businessmen such as Jeetpal Singh, Raj Singh, Hukum Singh Rawat, Vinod Thapliyal, Vijay Bahadur, Vijay Bhardwaj, Bhagwan Rawat, Anubhav Payal, and Sumit Pal said that they were waiting for a long time for the rafting operations to resume. The resumption of operations will not only boost their business but will also increase employment opportunities for local guides and staff. Rafting bookings have started both online and offline. Tourists are already making their bookings, which is leading to a boom in business.

Boost to tourism industry
Starting of rafting operations will not only benefit rafting businessmen, but it will also boost other businesses related to regional hotels, dharamshalas, and transport services. Every year thousands of tourists come to Rishikesh and surrounding areas for river rafting, thereby strengthening the local economy.

Adventure Sports Officer Jaspal Chauhan said that currently rafting has been allowed from Marine Drive to Shivpuri and Brahmapuri to Ramjhula. However, the water level of the river is still high at some places, due to which operations could not be started at other rafting points like Club House and Kaudiala. As the water level decreases, these points will also be opened for tourists.