West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took stock of the preparations for the Gangasagar Fair at Nabanna Auditorium on Wednesday. On this occasion, the Chief Minister assured that his government is taking all possible steps to ensure that the devotees do not face any difficulties during the Gangasagar Fair. It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister took stock of the preparations for this annual fair at Sagardweep. Devotees from every corner of the country and abroad come here for this fair and take a dip in the confluence of Ganga and Bay of Bengal on the occasion of ‘Makar Sankranti’. This year Gangasagar Fair will be organized between January 8 and January 17. Ms Banerjee said that with the help of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the movements of the vehicles will be monitored through GPS and satellite monitoring.
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Special tracking devices will be installed on ships, order to reserve beds in hospitals also
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Health department instructed to be prepared for emergencies, a 300-bed temporary hospital will be built.
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Deploying air ambulance, water ambulance and 100 ambulances in the fair premises, instructions to increase the number of beds in hospitals
The fair will run from 8 to 17 January
During the review meeting, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee directed all the departments and institutions involved in organizing the fair to complete the preparations as soon as possible. The Chief Minister said that the Gangasagar Fair will run from January 8 to 17. But he directed the district administration and departments to complete the preparations by January 2. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that this time more than 40 lakh devotees are likely to arrive here, hence strict security arrangements will have to be made.
Emphasis on making Sagar Mela eco-friendly, plastic free
During the meeting, the Chief Minister stressed on making the Gangasagar Fair eco-friendly and plastic free. During the administrative meeting, the Chief Minister directed the responsible officers to take all possible steps to make the Gangasagar Fair eco-friendly and plastic free.
Security arrangements will be tight during the fair
At the same time, the Chief Minister said that the security arrangements will be tight during the Gangasagar Fair. This time ISRO’s help is also being taken for security during Gangasagar Fair. Special satellite tracking devices will be installed on the vessels plying in Muri Ganga, so that the vessels can be monitored. He told that 1,150 CCTVs will be installed in Gangasagar. At the same time, surveillance will also be maintained with more than two dozen drones. Many temporary fire service stations are being opened near the fair, where more than two dozen fire vehicles will be present. Along with this, more than 10 thousand police personnel will be deployed for security. Along with this, more than two thousand civil defense personnel will also be prepared by the state government. The Chief Minister said that a plan has been made regarding traffic rules. Patrolling will also be done in the water area. There will be no compromise with law and order at any cost.
2250 buses will be arranged for devotees
The Chief Minister said that there will be a provision of 2250 government buses to transport and bring back the pilgrims. Apart from this, hundreds of private bus services will also continue. Four barges, 32 vessels and 100 launches will also be operated for the devotees in Muri Ganga. These will be operated from 21 jetties. An application has been made to Eastern Railway to run additional trains from Howrah and Sealdah. Eastern Railway should increase the frequency of trains during the fair, so that more and more devotees can be safely transported to the Gangasagar fair. At the same time, representatives of Railways have said that 66 special trains will be run during the fair from January 8 to 17.
Responsibilities given to ministers
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met State Agriculture Minister Shobhandeb Chattopadhyay, Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, Power Minister Arup Biswas, Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Pradeep Majumdar, Water Resources Minister Pulak Rai, Senior ministers including Fire Minister Sujit Bose have been asked to be present at important places to keep a close watch on the activities during the Gangasagar Mela. Each minister has been assigned a special responsibility.