After a gap of seven years, the state Tourism department re-launched its biggest water tourism activity, the Ganga Water Rally, from Allahabad on Saturday.

The rally, which will cover districts Allahabad, Mirzapur and Varanasi, was flagged off by Tourism Minister Vinod Singh and the Stamp and Registration Minister Nandgopal Gupta Nandi. This year, the rally has 75 teams participating from different parts of the country, ready to take on an adventure tour exploring Ganga from Allahabad to Varanasi. The last rally was organised in the state in 2002, after which it was stalled due to problems between the department and the district administration.

According to sources in the department, the Saraswati Ghat which was the original venue for the rally was taken over by the cantonment board, leading to differences between the Allahabad Development Authority and Tourism Department. Finally, Secretary (tourism) Avanish Awasthi cleared all the problems and the Ganga Water Rally was back into action.

The rally was flagged off from Boat Club near the Saraswati ghat, Naini Bridge, and will conclude on November 9 at the Rajendra Prasad Ghat in Varanasi.

“We have collaborated with the Indian Kayak and Canoeing Association to make this event a success,” said Senior Manager UP Tourism D P Singh.