Ahead of the upcoming Ganga Sagar Mela, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday inaugurated 30 projects worth Rs 153 crore. She also laid the foundation for 19 additional projects, with a combined cost of Rs 61 crore, aimed at improving the lives of residents in Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas and neighbouring remote islands in the district.
Among the projects inaugurated by the chief minister, who was at Sagar on a two-day trip to oversee the preparation of the upcoming fair, were a host of new ferry services connecting the islands, upgrades to bus terminuses and jetties, new Anganwadi centres, and roads. Additionally, three new bridges were announced to enhance connectivity.
Transportation to Sagar Island, the venue for the Ganga Sagar Mela, has been bolstered with a new helicopter service from Kolkata. Dredging of the Muri Ganga River has been completed to allow ferry operations for 20 hours a day, resolving earlier disruptions caused by low tide.
During the Ganga Sagar Mela, scheduled from January 8 to 17, a fleet of 32 vessels, 9 barge vessels, and 100 launch ships will be operational, alongside 2,250 government and 250 private buses.
CM Banerjee announced several measures to benefit pilgrims from across the country and those managing the event.
"Anyone visiting Ganga Sagar or working here, including journalists, will be eligible for health insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh in case of an accident during the mela," she stated.
Comprehensive healthcare arrangements have been made, with 515 hospital beds, including ICU beds, set aside for the event. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics will provide 24/7 medical support.
Additionally, 100 ambulances, four water ambulances, and one air ambulance have been readied, with provisions for green corridors to facilitate the swift transport of critical patients.
Once again, the West Bengal chief minister expressed hope that Ganga Sagar Mela would one day be recognised as a national event like the Kumbha Mela.
“The Centre pays the entire amount for Kumba Mela. But West Bengal always gets deprived,” she said.
