With Isro’s help, this year’s Gangasagar Mela set for major tech upgrade
Times of India | 28 November 2025
Kolkata: The Bengal govt will seek Isro's technical assistance during the 2026 Gangasagar Mela, it was decided at a meeting of officials on Thursday. The fair this year will feature five specialised lighting systems, including fog lights imported from Australia and around 600 electric tower lights aimed at improving visibility and crowd safety at night.
Bengal chief secretary Manoj Pant chaired a meeting with officials and issued directives to ensure that all major infrastructure and safety arrangements are completed well in advance of the annual fair at Sagar Island, which is expected to draw a larger crowd this year, in the absence of Maha Kumbh.
At a high-level review meeting held at Nabanna, senior officials, including the district magistrate of South 24 Parganas and secretaries of panchayat, PHE and PWD, disaster management, and irrigation departments, discussed the status of ongoing preparations. Pant instructed all departments to maintain close coordination and finish remaining work at the earliest.
Officials discussed health and safety aspects, including arrangements for water and air ambulances. A nearby hospital will be equipped with temporary facilities for emergency care.
Infrastructure augmentation across all key transit points, including locations beyond Lot 8, were prioritised, along with improved bus services to Kapil Muni's ashram, an official said.
Security and crowd management, especially through additional CCTV coverage and an upgraded transport system were discussed on Thursday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to convene a meeting on preparations soon.
Officials have been directed to evaluate issues faced by people in last year's fair and ensure such problems are addressed this time. One of the top priorities will be dredging. Pant asked the irrigation department to complete the process before the fair starts in Jan.
Adequate drinking water, and a robust electricity and telecommunication network were also discussed as were safe accommodation facilities. PHE officials were asked to ensure uninterrupted potable water supply. Fire officials were asked to install fire safety systems in all lodging zones prior to occupancy.
All departments were instructed to complete infrastructure development by the last week of Dec. Pant asked principal secretaries to coordinate closely to avoid any delay. This year too, CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to visit Sagar Island to personally review preparations.