KOLKATA: Gangasagar Mela, where 40 lakh pilgrims converge from across the country every January, will be kept free of plastic waste. This was decided at a review meeting chaired by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday. While the state government will provide bio-degradable bags to pilgrims to carry their belongings, volunteers will be deployed to keep the beach and fairground plastic-free.
The meeting was also attended by chief secretary H K Dwivedi and officials of several state departments, KoPT, Army, railway, coast guard, NDRF and BSNL.
This year, the Gangasagar Mela will be held between January 8 and 17. Banerjee, who is scheduled to visit the island on January 3 for an inspection, took stock of the preparations on Wednesday and pointed out the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims was a priority. Every pilgrim will be get an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh and those on duty on the island will also be covered. All the vehicles will be tracked with the help of GPS and a satellite-tracking system by ISRO. Stressing the safety aspect, Banerjee said, “Around 1,150 CCTV cameras and 20 drones will keep a watch.” Around 10,000 policemen and 6,500 volunteers will be on Sagar duty and Kolkata Police sergeants will regulate traffic and try to ensure no accident takes place. She also urged that traffic should be managed properly on Sagar Island, Kachuberia and Lot 8, which usually witnessed pilgrims’ rush, especially on the return journey. The congestion must be tackled properly, she added.
Around 2,250 state and 250 private buses, along with six barges, will ferry pilgrims. “Guides will be posted on buses so that those coming from outside do not face any problem,” Banerjee said.
Pointing out that VIP movement often created chaos, the CM said VIPs would not be encouraged to travel to the mela with pilot cars. She added several ministers would be posted on the island and surroundings to keep track of the pilgrims and arrange for their safe passage back home.
She also made it clear that no cooking would be allowed on the fair ground as it could be a fire hazard. Still, to avoid any untoward incident, the state will arrange for 50 fire engines there and will put extra stress on fire-fighting measures. Talking about a Bangladesh vessel drowning in 2013 and concerned about increased siltation in the channel, Banerjee said the site, where the boat had sunk, should be marked properly, especially at night. Adequate lights are being installed and additional dredging is being carried out so that vessels can move easily during the low tide.
The meeting was also attended by chief secretary H K Dwivedi and officials of several state departments, KoPT, Army, railway, coast guard, NDRF and BSNL.
This year, the Gangasagar Mela will be held between January 8 and 17. Banerjee, who is scheduled to visit the island on January 3 for an inspection, took stock of the preparations on Wednesday and pointed out the safety of the lakhs of pilgrims was a priority. Every pilgrim will be get an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh and those on duty on the island will also be covered. All the vehicles will be tracked with the help of GPS and a satellite-tracking system by ISRO. Stressing the safety aspect, Banerjee said, “Around 1,150 CCTV cameras and 20 drones will keep a watch.” Around 10,000 policemen and 6,500 volunteers will be on Sagar duty and Kolkata Police sergeants will regulate traffic and try to ensure no accident takes place. She also urged that traffic should be managed properly on Sagar Island, Kachuberia and Lot 8, which usually witnessed pilgrims’ rush, especially on the return journey. The congestion must be tackled properly, she added.
Around 2,250 state and 250 private buses, along with six barges, will ferry pilgrims. “Guides will be posted on buses so that those coming from outside do not face any problem,” Banerjee said.
Pointing out that VIP movement often created chaos, the CM said VIPs would not be encouraged to travel to the mela with pilot cars. She added several ministers would be posted on the island and surroundings to keep track of the pilgrims and arrange for their safe passage back home.
She also made it clear that no cooking would be allowed on the fair ground as it could be a fire hazard. Still, to avoid any untoward incident, the state will arrange for 50 fire engines there and will put extra stress on fire-fighting measures. Talking about a Bangladesh vessel drowning in 2013 and concerned about increased siltation in the channel, Banerjee said the site, where the boat had sunk, should be marked properly, especially at night. Adequate lights are being installed and additional dredging is being carried out so that vessels can move easily during the low tide.