“To make Ganga Sagar eco-friendly and a green mela, we have decided to make it plastic-free; thus, we will be providing the pilgrims with free biodegradable bags for puja items,” Banerjee said on the second day of the mela. “There will be 2,250 government buses, 250 private buses, nine barges, 32 vessels, 100 launches, and 19 jetties. Along with that, 2,500 civic volunteers and other volunteers are being recruited. Furthermore, there will be one airborne ambulance, four water ambulances, and 100 ambulances at the mela for any medical emergencies.”

For the mela, public address systems available in Hindi, Bengali, English, Odia, Telugu, Marathi, and a few other languages, said Banerjee.

“Three helipads have also been made operational.  The depth of the Ganga has been increased by dredging at Muri Ganga. So for 20 hours, people can use the launches for crossing,” said Banerjee.

As many as 17 Anganwadi centres have been inaugurated in the area. “Three bridges are to be built over Piyali river, Moni river, and the Sundorikadaroka river. As many as 12 jetties will be inaugurated in Namkhana, Pathorprotima and Gosaba blocks. We have also inaugurated several jetties and multi-purpose rescue shelters. And for law and order, there is a new Gangasagar coastal thana and a Kakdwip coastal thana,” she said.

On Tuesday, she once again criticised the Centre for the latter’s alleged indifference towards Gangasagar Mela and not according it a “national status” unlike the Kumbh Mela.