Quick response teams to maintain vigil in Gangasagar Mela premises

Kolkata: There will be around 100 quick response teams (QRT) that have been deployed at different strategic locations in Sagar Island for Gangasagar Mela.

The main task of the QRT will be to take necessary steps in case there is any emergency. Around 20 lakh people from all across the state visit Sagar Island during Makarsankranti to take holy dip at the confluence of river Ganga and Bay of Bengal. So the state government is leaving no stones unturned to make all necessary arrangements for their safety and security.

The QRTs will be posted at transit points across the Muriganga river including Lot 8, Namkhana, Chemaguri and Kachuberia transit points. Contingents of QRTs will also be placed at Sagar mela grounds.

Around 50 boats have already been pressed, which will be utilised for rescue work in case there is any emergency.

It may be mentioned that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had held a high-level meeting at Nabanna a few weeks ago to discuss all aspects of the Gangasagar Mela

The state government has also taken several initiatives for the safety and security of pilgrims. 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.

LED screens have been installed in which footages of 500 CCTV cameras is getting displayed, covering all the transit points both in mainland, the island, bus stands, the temple and the mela premises. 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.

The Chief Minister has also visited Sagar Island to take a stock of the 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.

"My best wishes to all the pilgrims who have congregated at Sagar Islands for the annual Ganga Sagar Mela. We have made all arrangements for the smooth management of this grand assembly of humanity," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted.