The cashtrapped Bengal government is struggling to save a large part of the Gangasagar island, including the famous Kapil Muni temple, from erosion as the sea is advancing by around 15-20 meters every year.

Sources said a project to build a guard wall along a 2.5km stretch of the Sagar island was taken up five years ago but the Rs 141-crore scheme had to be postponed as the central government did not respond to the state’s proposal.

“As the Union government did not respond, our chief minister has directed us to make all possible attempts to save Gangasagar from erosion with our limited funds. We have taken up a pilot project to rebuild the breached beach, including the 300-meter stretch where the annual congregation for the Gangasagar Mela takes place,” said Sunderbans affairs minister Bankim Hazra.

The irrigation department has primarily repaired a portion of the damaged beach before Gangasagar Mela, which will be held from January 8 to 15.

“Erosion is a big threat to the Kapil Muni temple that attracts lakhs of pilgrims across the country every year. In 2011, when I became an MLA from the Sagar island, the seashore was at least 3km behind its present location,” Hazra said.

During her two-day visit to oversee Gangasagar Mela preparations, Mamata had repeatedly accused the BJPrun central government of neglecting the congregation while contributing in a big way to organise the Kumbh Mela.

Mamata said despite writing repeatedly to Delhi for funds to develop infrastructure and communication for Gangasagar Mela, the Centre did not commit a single penny for the second-largest religious congregation after Kumbh.

Talking about the speed at which the sea beach was eroding, local traders and government officials said the Kapil Muni temple was around 2km from the seashore till the early 2000s and now it was only 400 meters away.

“Can you see the colourful flags that have been put up to alert pilgrims that they should not cross the line? Till 2015, I used to set up my shop where the flags are. Now you can understand how far the sea has moved in,” said Sanatan Mondal, who has been running a fast food stall at the fair for the past 12 years.

Mamata during the meeting of the National Ganga Council held in Calcutta on December 30 urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to emphasise on the implementation of the Sunderbans master plan that includes permanent repair of the Sagar island embankment.

The state government has already written to the central government demanding the implementation of the master plan — a comprehensive initiative towards sustainable development.