West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday convened a high-level meeting at the state secretariat, Nabanna, to meticulously plan for the peaceful and efficient conduct of the 2026 Gangasagar Mela. The meeting, attended by senior ministers and top officials, focused on comprehensive arrangements for the massive annual pilgrimage at Sagar Island.
No VIP Culture, Focus on Pilgrim Welfare
In a significant directive, Chief Minister Banerjee firmly reiterated that there should be no special priority treatment for VIPs during the mela. She emphasized that such privileges often create unnecessary trouble and inconvenience for the common pilgrims who undertake the arduous journey. The core instruction was to ensure a seamless and equitable experience for every devotee.
Banerjee placed paramount importance on the safety and medical care of the pilgrims. She instructed officials to ensure all medical facilities, including the hospital on Sagar Island and those in adjoining areas, are fully prepared and stocked. A robust emergency response system involving ambulances and helicopters for ferrying sick pilgrims was ordered to be put in place.
Green Signal for Mega 4-Km Gangasagar Bridge
A major infrastructure announcement emerged from the meeting. The Chief Minister directed that work on the proposed Gangasagar bridge must start immediately. This crucial bridge, spanning over 4 kilometers, will connect Kachuberia to Sagar Island.
The state finance department has already cleared a substantial budget of Rs 1,700 crore for this project. It is expected that CM Banerjee will personally lay the foundation stone for the bridge during her scheduled visit to Sagar Island in early January, marking a historic step towards improving connectivity for the pilgrimage.
Comprehensive Arrangements for Crowd Management
With the possibility of an increased pilgrim turnout this year—owing to the absence of a Kumbh Mela—the CM alerted officials to be extra vigilant. A multi-pronged strategy was outlined to manage the expected crowds.
Railway officials were instructed to run trains at short intervals to prevent overcrowding at stations and on trains. The police were tasked with ensuring smooth traffic flow and avoiding chaos. Emphasis was also laid on providing proper sanitation facilities and adequate accommodation for visitors.
For enhanced surveillance and crowd management, the use of CCTVs and drones was mandated. Furthermore, in a move to provide a financial safety net, the government announced an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh for pilgrims and other stakeholders for the duration of the mela to handle any exigencies.
The comprehensive review underscores the state government's focus on transforming the Gangasagar Mela into a model of safe, secure, and pilgrim-friendly religious congregation.
