West Bengal Government’s Steadfast Commitment In Organising A Never Before Ganga Sagar Mela This Year.

Kolkata, Sagar Island; January 2026: The Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal Government is steadfastly committed in organising this year 2026 Ganga Sagar Mela in a vibrant and most organised way.

Yesterday, on 12th January 2026, District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas, Arvind Mina has briefed about the arrangements for the Ganga Sagar mela, stating that a much larger crowd is expected this year, asserting that the major attraction of the event is the Ganga aarti. Mina informed that the administration is alert to every arrangement and a bridge for connecting Sagar Island to the mainland will also be built as per the West Bengal government’s announcement. A few days ago, the Government of West Bengal announced a bridge connecting Sagar Island to the mainland.

Mina said the state government has made extensive arrangements for the fairs, including installing 1,200 CCTV cameras, and noted that the transportation system at the mela is also being monitored from 16 buffer zones established by the administration.

“The Government of West Bengal makes extensive preparations for the Ganga Sagar Mela. A few days ago, the Chief Minister visited and reviewed all the preparations. More than 1,200 CCTV cameras have been installed. Drones have been deployed at appropriate locations. The transportation system is entirely monitored from the buffer zones we have established.

He stated that the administration has made all arrangements for pilgrims to take a holy dip in the Ganga, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed to ensure their safety.

“Sufficient arrangements have been made at the ghats where pilgrims perform rituals and take a holy dip. Keeping in mind the increased number of pilgrims, we have scaled up everything. The NDRF is deployed, the Coast Guard is deployed, and the Navy is deployed. More than 500 ICU beds have been created here, and medical teams have been deployed”, Mina added.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Das, priest of the Kapil Muni Ashram, described the Ganga Sagar mela as unparalleled, noting that the Ganga Aarti held at the fair is historic, supernatural, and divine. “The Ganga Aarti that has been taking place in Ganga Sagar for so many years is historic, divine, and supernatural. The Ganga Sagar Mela 2026 is unparalleled in itself. Its divinity and grandeur can be witnessed. These things are happening under the direction of the state government”, he said.

Meanwhile, West Bengal minister Manas Ranjan Bhunia slammed the Centre, stating that they have not given national recognition to the Ganga Sagar mela, whereas CM Mamata Banerjee has announced the construction of 5-km 4-lane bridge worth Rs 1700 crores in the region.

“Mamata Banerjee does magic. Till date, Central Government has not given national recognition to Ganga Sagar Mela. Our CM announced a 5-km 4-lane bridge at the cost of Rs 1700 Crores. L&T has taken up the work. This will be completed within 3 years. It will be an international tourist spot”, he said.

Earlier on 06th January, 2026, the Honourable Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had made a personal visit to the Ganga Sagar Site in ensuring the preparations in progress. Addressing the media persons there, Chief Minister Banerjee said, “If required, you can stay on from today itself. The District Magistrate and the Ganga Sagar administration have made all arrangements for your stay. I extend my greetings to all the brothers, sisters and friends of Ganga Sagar. Many visitors will come to the fair. Please ensure that while your business and trade continue smoothly, visitors also leave with a sense of appreciation, and that there are no lapses of any kind”.

“Adequate arrangements have been made for hospitals, beds, doctors and ambulances for the pilgrims. Sufficient bus services have also been arranged. Travel can be undertaken with a single ticket, and an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh has been arranged for everyone attending the fair. At Ganga Sagar, we have also abolished the pilgrim tax that was in place during the CPI(M) regime.

In a post on X, she wrote, “To review the preparations for the Ganga Sagar Mela, I travelled to Sagar Island today. The dawn of a new year has brought with it a historic moment for both the pilgrims of Ganga Sagar and the people of the island. Ending a long wait, the Ganga Sagar Bridge, being built at a cost of Rs 1,670 crore to connect Kakdwip and Ganga Sagar, had its foundation stone laid today”.

“This 4-lane, 4.75-km-long modern bridge, spanning the Muri Ganga River, will make connectivity faster, safer, and more reliable. It will also significantly improve the transport of agricultural and industrial goods, while ensuring smoother travel for pilgrims, tourists, and residents alike. The construction agreement was formally exchanged today between the concerned department and the implementing authority”, the post added.

The Ganga Sagar Mela is an annual Hindu pilgrimage fair held on Sagar Island at the confluence of the River Ganga and the Bay of Bengal in West Bengal. This year, the mela will be organised from January 10 to 17, with the main holy bath scheduled for Makar Sankranti on January 14th and 15th.

Team Maverick.