Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews,
Kolkata, January 14, 2025 : A growing contention has emerged between the Gangasagar Mela in West Bengal and the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh over national recognition and government funding. This ongoing dispute intensified as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday once again pressed for the Gangasagar Mela to be recognized as a national fair, pointing out the stark contrast in the central government’s treatment of both events.Chief Minister Banerjee, who recently inspected the preparations for Gangasagar Mela, emphasized that over one crore pilgrims attend the event every year, yet the central government has not allocated the same financial support as it has for the Kumbh Mela, which receives funding running into thousands of crores. She has repeatedly demanded that the Centre recognize Gangasagar Mela as a national event, but according to her, these pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
Banerjee highlighted the difficulty of accessing Gangasagar Island for the Mela, contrasting it with the multiple routes available for pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela. She criticized the Centre for not fulfilling its promise to build a bridge connecting Sagar Island to the mainland, a project that she says would ease the burden on pilgrims. Despite waiting for years, Banerjee noted that no progress had been made by the central government, and as a result, her administration has decided to proceed with the construction of the bridge on its own. She indicated that the project, estimated to cost around Rs 1,500 crore, would take three to four years to complete and emphasized that a rushed approach could jeopardize the structure’s safety.
In addition to the bridge issue, the Chief Minister revealed that her government has been actively improving the infrastructure surrounding the Gangasagar Mela, including the construction of a helipad and other essential facilities. She also suggested a solution to address the ongoing coastal erosion near the Kapil Muni Ashram, urging the senior priest of the ashram to allocate part of the funds they receive to build a protective concrete structure to prevent the sea from advancing further towards the temple.
Banerjee also shared plans for further administrative improvements in the region, including the creation of separate sub-divisions for areas like Gosaba, Patharpratima, Sandeshkhali, and Hingalganj. These areas, surrounded by water, face unique challenges, and the Chief Minister believes that these administrative changes will help residents access government services more efficiently.
The controversy surrounding the Gangasagar Mela and its lack of recognition continues to highlight the tensions between the state and central governments, with Mamata Banerjee urging the Centre to address the inequities and fulfill its promises to West Bengal.