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Bengal

Coast Guard bolsters security to ensure safe, secure Gangasagar Mela

Kolkata: In a bid to ensure safety and security of pilgrims at Gangasagar, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has beefed up security arrangement as lakhs of people will visit the island to take holy dip at the confluence of river Ganga and Bay of Bengal.
ICG has deployed hovercrafts to carry out Search and Rescue (SAR) operations as well as to provide security cover along the riverine route. At the same time, a life-saving team comprising divers and medical personnel has also been posted at a nearby location so that they can rush-in, in case of any emergency.
Moreover, in a bid to provide long range aerial surveillance, a Dornier Do-228 aircraft has also been deployed. Fast patrol vessels and interceptor boats have been deployed to maintain vigil. An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) with a helicopter on board has been positioned off Sagar Island for continuous surveillance.
The state government has also taken several initiatives for safety and security of pilgrims. The state police, along with the district administration, have taken all necessary measures so that people do not face any problem in reaching the mela premises.
This is the first time when a mega control room will be set up near Mela Office in Sagar Island to ensure monitoring from Bagbazar Ghat in Kolkata to Sagar beach through surveillance cameras.
Forty 52-inch LED screens will be installed, in which footages of 500 CCTV cameras will be displayed, covering all the transit points both in mainland and the island, bus stands, the temple and the mela premises.
It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee held a high level meeting at Nabanna a few weeks ago to discuss all aspects of the Gangasagar Mela, in which around 20 lakh people will turn up.
The Chief Minister has also visited Sagar Island to take stock of preparation of the mela on January 26 and 27. She visited various places in Sagar Island and gave all necessary directions to concerned officials for further development of the island.
It may be mentioned that the state government has also decided to bring people visiting Gangasagar Mela under coverage of an insurance scheme of Rs 5 lakh each.

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