Give national status and funds for Gangasagar Mela: Mamata to Centre

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee appealed to the Centre on Wednesday to declare the Gangasagar Mela a national fair. Like the Kumbh Mela, the Gangasagar Mela, held on Sagar Island, is a major pilgrimage in West Bengal for the Hindus where people assemble in large numbers and take a holy dip at the confluence of the sacred Ganga and Bay of Bengal on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.

"I am appealing to the Centre to declare the Gangasagar Mela a national fair. The Kumbh Mela receives funds from the Centre, but the state has to bear all the cost for the Gangasagar Mela," said Banerjee. "We need '10,000 crore for the mela project but the central government is not responding to our request...," Banerjee said.

The Gangasagar Mela will be held from January 8-16.


Banerjee inaugurated three helipads at Sagar Island on Wednesday. "I come here every year ahead of the mela to monitor the preparations. A modern guest house has been inaugurated. To increase the connectivity to Sagar, Hatania-Doania bridge has been built. In addition, a life cover of Rs 5 lakh for pilgrims, police and media persons travelling to the Gangasagar Mela, has been introduced. We have illuminated the island as well," she said.

Booking details of the guest house and helicopter services will be available online.