The Bengal government has taken up widening work of a 1.5-km stretch of Muriganga (Battala) river between Benubon (Namkhana) and Chemaguri in South 24-Parganas as an alternative water transport channel to manage the huge rush for the Gangasagar Mela.
Every year, a large number of devotees generally board vessels at Lot-8 ghat under Harwood point to reach Kochuberia on Sagar island. The Benubon-Chemaguri stretch is used by comparatively fewer pilgrims. But, there would be an exception this time.
With a plan to ferry pilgrims in large numbers, the Bengal government has been widening the river and carrying out dredging for easy navigation of big vessels.
“Widening and clearing this stretch is our priority as we anticipate a bigger rush this time. We will use it as an alternative entry and exit point. We expect to complete the job by January 5,” an irrigation department official said.
Speaking at a preparatory review meeting for Gangasagar Mela at Nabanna on Wednesday, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said 32 vessels, 21 jetties, four barges and 100 launches will be pressed into service.
The preparations are important as the government will apply for Unesco’s intangible heritage tag for Gangasagar Mela, considered the second-largest human congregation after Kumbh.
The Mela is scheduled to begin on January 10. The last time, around 30 lakh pilgrims visited the fair. The figure could go up by lakhs this time.
The state government has underlined the importance of security, transport, telecommunication, accommodation and medical facilities. As a high tide is expected to coincide with the holy dip scheduled for January 13 and 14, Mamata instructed the South 24-Parganas district administration to ensure lights so that security agencies could work properly in case of any untoward incident.
She requested Eastern Railways for more trains, particularly between Sealdah and Namkhana, during the fair.
An official of the Eastern Railway said: “At present, there are 82 trains, 15 more trains will run during the fair.”
At least 2,250 government buses and over 500 private buses will ferry pilgrims to and from the fair, Mamata added.
