West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday reviewed preparations for the Gangasagar Mela and urged the central government to announce the mela as a national fair. Banerjee said huge funds have been allocated for the Kumbh Mela by the Centre unlike the Gangasagar Mela.
She noted that West Bengal has been deprived for a long time and that the Gangasagar Mela has not been recognised as a national fair despite repeated requests by her government. “We want recognition of the Gangasagar Mela as a national fair. It is our request to the Centre. People from all over the country come to Gangasagar Mela,” she said.
Last year, one crore people visited the fairground. Banerjee also pointed out the necessity of a bridge on the Muri Ganga. “We have allocated ₹1,500 crore for the process. DPR and tendering process have already been done. I thought of building a bridge here, so that people can come directly. One central minister promised to build the same, but didn’t respond later,” she said.
