With the 46th International Kolkata Book Fair half way through, the Publishers and Booksellers Guild are overjoyed with the response till now. Addressing the media, the Guild president, Sudhangshu Sekhar Dey, said, “Maximum footfall was witnessed during the weekend with Sunday alone registering around 5 lakh visitors. Throughout the week, the footfall was around 15 to 16 lakh.’’
Tridib Kumar Chatterjee, honorary secretary of the Guild said, “Compared to last year, the sales have been around 10 per cent more.
“Almost 80% of the stalls (big and medium) have provisions for wheel-chair bound visitors and some smaller stalls which do not have such provisions are circulating catalogues etc.’’
However, owing to a huge footfall, dust has been a major concern. “The fire brigade department has taken the initiative to spray water through the fire hydrants on the boimela grounds,” Chatterjee said.
He also said, “On at 7pm on February 7, a Spanish musical programme will be held at the SBI auditorium. Also, Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s mayor, Firhad Hakim, will inaugurate a book on the civic authority.’’
Dey said, “While the Vodafone network has an effective coverage at the Boimela prangan, several requests have been made to ensure the services of other networks.’’
Chatterjee also mentioned facilities for the press which include better network for spot coverage of events and press conferences. Dey also said from next year, media persons may get a separate parking space. The 46th IKBF was inaugurated by chief minister Mamata Banerjee on January 30. It will end on February 12.
