Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned on Tuesday that there was the necessity to guarantee a complete surveillance — on land, air and water — to thwart any makes an attempt at fomenting bother from neighbouring trouble-torn Bangladesh in the course of the upcoming Gangasagar Mela in Kakdwip subdivision of South 24 Parganas district.
Talking on the preparations for the annual honest after laying basis stones for infrastructural developments within the space, the CM mentioned, “There might be round 2,500 buses, 2,250 authorities and 250 personal, 9 barges, 32 vessels, 100 farries in the course of the honest. Additionally, 19 jetties have been constructed. In addition to, 2,500 civic volunteers might be roped in. Moreover, there might be one airborne ambulance, 4 water ambulances, and 100 ambulances on the mela for medical emergency.”
Enough police personnel led by senior IPS officers have been deployed in Sagar Island and approaching roads from Kolkata, she mentioned, including, “We should guarantee there isn’t a bother in the course of the annual honest. Tight vigil must be ensured. I’ve instructed the navy about it. The coast guard also needs to be told. We now have to make sure there isn’t a bother from that aspect (Bangladesh).”
“A complete of 10 ministers might be deployed. Of them, 4 to 5 might be in Sagar Island, whereas others might be at essential places corresponding to Kachuberia and Lot quantity 8. IG and DIG-rank officers might be deployed. West Bengal and Kolkata police forces have been requested to make sure good coordination to keep up strict surveillance,” she mentioned.
“To make Gangasagar eco-friendly and the honest inexperienced we now have determined to make it plastic-free. We might be offering the pilgrims with free biodegradable luggage for puja objects,” Banerjee added.
On the mela, there might be public handle techniques in Hindi, Bengali, English, Odia, Telugu, Marathi, and another languages, Banerjee mentioned.
“Three helipads have additionally been made operational and the depth of the Ganga has been elevated by dredging at Muri Ganga, so for 20 hours, folks can use the launches for crossing,” mentioned Banerjee.
The Chief Minister mentioned that 17 anganwadi centres have been inaugurated within the space. “Three bridges are to be constructed over the Piyali, Moni and Sundorikadaroka rivers. Twelve jetties might be inaugurated in Namkhana, Pathorprotima and Gosaba blocks. We now have additionally inaugurated a number of jetties and multi-purpose rescue shelters. And for legislation and order, there’s a new Gangasagar coastal thana and a Kakdwip coastal thana,” she mentioned.
The CM once more criticised the Centre for its alleged indifference in direction of Gangasagar Mela and never in accordance it the standing of a “nationwide honest” just like the Kumbh Mela. “We’re hopeful that like Kumbh Mela, sooner or later Gangasagar Mela might be declared a nationwide honest. After approaching the Centre a number of instances and never getting any response, we now have determined to assemble a bridge over Muriganga River to attach Sagar Island with the mainland,” she added.
Lakhs of pilgrims collect in Sagar Island from completely different components of the nation and overseas to take a holy dip on the confluence of Ganga and the Bay of Bengal on the event of ‘Makar Sankranti’.
— with PTI inputs
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