Elaborate arrangements being made for Gangasagar fair

The West Bengal government on Monday said elaborate arrangements were being made for the annual Gangasagar Fair, with high priority on security.

"We are expecting a huge turnout of pilgrims for the fair and elaborate arrangements have been made. Security is being given the highest priority," state Public Health Engineering Minister Subrata Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said 12,000 toilets are being installed for the fair at Sagar Island, about 150 km from Kolkata, in South 24 Parganas district.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who chaired a meeting at the state secretariat for the fair, said pilgrims will be provided with an insurance of Rs.5,000.

She said floodlights will be installed across the ghats besides illuminating the venue with trident lights.

CCTV cameras are also being installed at strategic locations.

South 24 Parganas District Magistrate P.B. Salim said besides police, navy, coast guard and Border Security Force personnel would be deployed across the island while aerial surveillance will also be done.

Sagar Island sees a massive gathering of people every Makar Sankranti celebrated each year on January 14.