CM holds review meet over preparations for Ganga Sagar Mela

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a review meeting over the preparation for Ganga Sagar Mela where lakhs of pilgrims will visit to take a holy dip in the confluence of the river Ganga in Sagar Island.

Around 14 lakh people are expected to visit the Sagar Island this year in between January 13 to 15.

It was learnt that in the review meeting held in Nabanna on Thursday evening, Banerjee asked ministers of all the concerned departments about the ongoing preparation.

The state Public Health Engineering department is the nodal agency to organise the mela. Sources said this time, there will be 20 more vessels to ensure that people do not face trouble in reaching the island by crossing Muri Ganga river from the mainland.

The increase in the number of vessels will take the total number to 90. The state Irrigation department has also carried out dredging work at five different locations on Muri Ganga to ensure easy movement of the vessels.

Steps have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the mela premises.

There will be huge generators as source for alternate power supply.

Since lakhs of pilgrims will be present at the mela premises at a time, the arrangement of alternate power supply has been made.

This time, around 6,000 civil volunteers, all local youth, will be deployed in the mela to keep the area clean. They will restrict people from going for open defecation.

At the same time, the volunteers will also restrict pilgrims from dumping unused materials wherever they like. They will direct them to use the dustbins which will be placed at the gap of every three tents.

With a target to keep the mela ground clean and green, around 15,000 sanitary toilets will be set up. Last year around 10,000 sanitary toilets were set up.