Mamata slams Centre for neglect of Gangasagar Mela as it attains global stature
The Statesman | 14 January 2026
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that the Gangasagar Mela has transcended state and national boundaries to emerge as one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in the world, attracting millions of devotees every year.
State power minister Aroop Biswas said that around 60 lakh pilgrims have come from several places of India to Gangasagar this year.
CM Mamata Banerjee also extended her greetings to pilgrims who have gathered at Gangasagar for the annual holy dip. She said that sustained efforts by the Trinamul Congress government to improve infrastructure, connectivity and services had played a crucial role in enhancing the stature and appeal of the mela. In a post on X, Miss Banerjee said the state government had given the Gangasagar Mela a “new identity” by ensuring seamless arrangements for pilgrims from different parts of West Bengal and across the country. “Our government has transformed the Gangasagar Mela. Soon after coming to power, we abolished the ‘pilgrim tax’ that was imposed by the previous government. Today, pilgrims can visit the mela without paying any tax,” she said.
Highlighting the range of facilities provided, the Chief Minister said extensive steps had been taken to ensure the comfort and safety of devotees. These include beautification of the mela grounds and the Kapil Muni Ashram, improved road infrastructure, adequate bus, vessel, launch and jetty services, dredging of river routes, uninterrupted power supply, illumination, drinking water facilities, medical services with hospitals, doctors, nurses and ambulances, accommodation for pilgrims, sanitation and cleanliness measures, emergency helicopter services, helipads and comprehensive security arrangements.
Miss Banerjee asserted that these initiatives had significantly boosted public enthusiasm for the mela and contributed to its growing reputation across the globe. “With each passing year, interest in the Gangasagar Mela is increasing among people, and its fame is spreading far and wide,” she noted.
However, the Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Centre, alleging persistent neglect of the iconic mela. Expressing hope that such apathy would end one day, she said the Union government continued to ignore Gangasagar despite its international recognition. Drawing a comparison with the Kumbh Mela, Ms Banerjee pointed out that the Centre provides substantial financial assistance for the event, while no similar support or allocation is extended to Gangasagar. “Even though Gangasagar has attained international standards, the Centre does not provide any funds or assistance,” she said, reiterating her long-standing demand for equitable treatment of the mela.
State transport minister Snehasish Chakraborty today said that the state transport department has deployed large barges for transporting the pilgrims from Lot No 8 to Kachuberia on a 24-hour basis with state-of-the-art navigation system.