States » EastPosted at: Oct 30 2026 8:53PM


Gangasagar Mela to become international event in 2027, announces Bengal CM Adhikari

Kolkata, Oct 30 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced that the Gangasagar Mela would be transformed into an international event from 2027, with the state government already initiating preparations to upgrade the annual religious congregation and its infrastructure.
Addressing a public meeting at New Indian Maidan in Baruipur, Adhikari said the government was working to take the pilgrimage to a new level by expanding the fairground and providing better facilities for pilgrims and sadhus arriving from different parts of the country and abroad.
The area of the fairground is being increased by nearly six lakh square feet, taking its total size from around 12 lakh to 18 lakh square feet. The expansion is expected to facilitate crowd management and improve arrangements for the movement and accommodation of pilgrims, particularly in view of an anticipated rise in attendance.
Adhikari said special camps would be established along the route from Asansol to Gangasagar to assist pilgrims and sadhus arriving from Jharkhand. The facilities would continue up to Sagar Island and include arrangements for food, accommodation, rest and medical treatment.
"Preparations have already begun. Just wait and see the scale to which we take the Mela this time," the Chief Minister said.
The South 24-Parganas district administration has also begun strengthening arrangements, including additional bus terminals, helipads and pilgrim accommodation facilities to manage the expected rush.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin had also visited Gangasagar with a high-level team and assured that efforts would be made to secure national fair status for the annual religious congregation soon. The state government's proposals and requests have reached the union Ministries of Culture and Tourism, with several preliminary rounds of discussions held between the Centre and the state.
The government is also pursuing the inclusion of Gangasagar under the Centre's PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme, which aims to develop and modernise important pilgrimage destinations across the country.
The state government had also renewed its demand for national fair status for Gangasagar Mela. Chief Minister Adhikari had earlier approached union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking improved rail and road connectivity to the pilgrimage centre.
State Public Works Minister Ajay Poddar earlier said several rounds of discussions had taken place with the Centre and expressed hope that the fair would receive national recognition within the current year.
Construction of a bridge over the Muriganga river, which is expected to improve connectivity to Sagar Island, has also made considerable progress. The state government believes that improved transport links and modern infrastructure will help establish Gangasagar as one of the country's major religious congregations.
At the Baruipur meeting, Adhikari also urged people to celebrate Kali Puja peacefully, protect cattle and report any illegal slaughterhouses to the administration.
He said he had directed the Superintendent of Police to shut down an illegal slaughterhouse at Gocharan and asserted that no such illegal facility would be allowed to operate.
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Tags: #Gangasagar Mela to become international event in 2027# announces Bengal CM Adhikari
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