New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said VIP convoys with hooters will not be allowed at the Gangasagar Mela and 200km-long barricades will be put up to control the crowd. CM Banerjee held a review meeting to take stock of the preparations ahead of the annual event. She announced the mela will start on January 8 and end on January 17. The pilgrims can take a holy dip from January 12.
According to reports, the meeting was held at the state secretariat, Nabanna, in the presence of Cabinet ministers and secretaries of different departments.
CM Banerjee further said that in order to maintain law and order during the Gangasagar Mela, as many as 1,150 CCTV cameras, 20 drones, 2400 civil defence forces and 6,500 volunteers will be deployed.
“There will be strict police vigilance... 200-kilometre-long barricades to control the crowd, 1150 CCTV cameras, 20 drones, 2400 civil defence forces, 50 fire engines will be stationed at the fair from January 9-17. There will also be accident insurance of Rs 5 lakh per person. A total of 6,500 volunteers and a provision of 10,000 toilets will also be there,” CM Mamata Banerjee said at the meeting.
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“VIPs will not be allowed to enter the Mela in convoys unless absolutely necessary. Such kind of VIP movement amid the crowd cause problems,” she added. Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim clarified that this rule will be applicable for VIPs from other states too.
The Chief Minister also informed that a total of 2,250 state buses, 250 private buses and six barge vessels will be pressed into service to enable easy commute for the tourists and pilgrims. Every barge vessel will have life jackets. She also said that 10 tourist buses will be kept ready.
Notably, CM Banerjee has been demanding “national status” for Gangasagar Mela for many years.