The arrangements for organising Ganga arati will begin from tomorrow and the final clearance will be given only after ascertaining the safety issues, said chief minister Mamata Banerjee today while announcing that similar arati facilities will also be started at Dakshineswar, Belur, Kalighat and other iconic holy sites. “We have surveyed the site for performing the Ganga arati and KMC will barricade the place and make necessary arrangements. The planning has been done and work will start tomorrow. We cannot take chances with fire and water and so need to ensure that the site is completely safe before we proceed with our plan of Ganga arati.

We need a good lighting facility at the site. The final clearance will be given only after all our concerns are addressed. Following which, the arati site will become another place to visit,” said Miss Banerjee while inaugurating the Gangasagar Outram Ghat Transit Point. Miss Banerjee said that trained people have to be deployed for performing the arati though everybody can participate in the event. “Ganga arati can also be started in Dakshineswar, Belur, Kalighat and all other places where such an activity can be performed,” she added. After repeatedly demanding a national status for the Gangasagar Mela, Miss Banerjee said Kumbh Mela receives funds from the Centre but no such assistance is received by Bengal.

“Kumbh Mela is connected by road and railways but one can reach Gangasagar only after crossing the river,” she said. The state government had come up with a project to construct a bridge over Muriganga but due to lack of central funds the government is devising ways to construct it. Miss Banerjee said that earlier visiting Gangasagar was an ordeal as there were no facilities. “After cyclone Yaas everything was destroyed but we rebuilt everything. We started pilgrim tax and insurance amounting to Rs 5 lakh for people visiting Gangasagar,” said Miss Banerjee. Cautioning against rumours, Miss Banerjee urged pilgrims to follow the instructions issued through loudspeakers.

“Don’t rush and be patient while crossing the river. All arrangements are in place at Gangasagar so, there is nothing to worry about,” she said. She further reiterated that Bengal was blamed for pelting stones at Vanda Bharat though the incident had actually occurred in Bihar. “Why were we criticized?” she questioned. Miss Banerjee has already visited Sagar for overseeing the arrangements and has offered her Puja at Kapil Muni temple and Bharat Sevashram Sangha. Sufficient arrangements of hangars and makeshift hogla sheds have been set up to ensure that not a single pilgrim is compelled to stay under the open sky. The district administration expects over 30 lakh pilgrims during the Gangasagar Mela