With the 2026 Gangasagar Mela scheduled to begin on January 8, the Sagar administration has accelerated infrastructure work to ensure a safer and smoother pilgrimage for lakhs of visitors. One of the key projects includes dredging the Muriganga river, where silt is being removed at a cost of Rs 30 crore, allocated by the Irrigation Department.
Sundarbans Development Minister Bankim Chandra Hazra stated that preparations are being carried out as per the Chief Secretary’s directives. “Dredging work is underway in the Muriganga. This will make vessel services smoother. The Irrigation Department has initially approved a Rs 30 crore budget for this,” he said.
To ease movement further, the Transport Department has decided to double the number of buses operating between Kachuberia and the Mela grounds, supplementing existing vessel services.
Meanwhile, renovation of major jetties—Namkhana, Benuban, Kakdwip, and Kachuberia—is progressing simultaneously. “Maintaining navigability in the Muriganga is essential to ensure 24-hour vessel operations during the fair. Currently, low tide forces vessel services to halt, causing long waits for pilgrims and occasional incidents of boats getting stuck. To prevent such disruptions, dredging has been taken up on priority,” said an official of the irrigation department.
Following the reduced turnout in 2025 due to the Mahakumbh, the administration anticipates a significantly larger gathering this year. To manage the expected surge, additional passenger shelters and buffer zones are being set up.
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Health services are also receiving special attention. Along with a primary medical centre on the fairgrounds, a temporary hospital is being established with assistance from the Health Department. Several voluntary organisations are arranging ambulances, and an air ambulance will also be available for emergencies.
A high-level meeting at Nabanna, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, reviewed the entire preparation roadmap. Senior officials from multiple departments were present as Pant stressed the importance of ensuring safety, emergency services, and uninterrupted water and electricity supply during the fair.
Work has also begun on rehabilitating bathing ghats 1 to 6, which were damaged during a recent natural disaster. According to the minister, the repairs are progressing rapidly. Additionally, embankment strengthening in front of Kapil Muni’s Ashram is underway, with soil being added before concrete reinforcement. Renovation of the ashram complex, including repainting the temple, is nearing completion ahead of the Mela.
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