LUCKNOW, Feb. 20 -- Tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh on Thursday informed the Uttar Pradesh legislative council that five government and two private cruises are currently operating on the Ganga in Varanasi, with all services running under prescribed norms. Responding to a query by Samajwadi Party MLC Ashutosh Sinha, the minister said cruise operations are regulated by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority, and compliance with standards is being ensured. He added that the relevant details are available and can be placed before the House. On the constitution of the Uttar Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority, Singh said it was set up through a notification issued on December 6, 2023, with the transport department designated as the nodal agency. Further administrative processes have been underway since December 6, 2024, he added. Citing tourism figures, the minister said that before 2017, Varanasi recorded around 5.44 lakh domestic and 3.34 lakh foreign tourists, while the current footfall has risen sharply to over 17.27 crore visitors. The government maintained that tourism development and related infrastructure are being expanded in a structured manner with adherence to regulatory standards....