Bengal: Center is not giving proper recognition to Gangasagar Fair, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed disappointment

Expressing disappointment, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that although the Gangasagar Mela is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, the Center has not given it due recognition.

Speaking at an official event at Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district, he said it was his government which was working for the annual event despite not getting any help from the Centre.

“Kumbh Mela is a big fair and it gets full support from the Centre. We should also remember that the Kumbh Mela site is connected by road. The Gangasagar fair, which is held on an island, is one of the biggest such fairs in the world but I don’t know why the Center has not given it due recognition yet,” he said.

He said his government was working on building a bridge to connect the island to the mainland.

He said, “No help has been received from the Centre. It is our government which is doing everything.”

Banerjee reviewed the preparations for the congregation in the afternoon, and also inaugurated several developmental projects.

Gangasagar Fair, organized on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, will continue till January 17. This year around 40 lakh people from across the country are expected to participate.