Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday visited Sagar Island to inspect the preparedness of the Gangasagar mela which will start from January 14.
Addressing the gathering Mamata said that the state government will spend Rs. 1500 crore for building a bridge over Muri-Ganga so that people can travel easily to Sagar Island.
“I have spoken with the central government and a minister despite assurance didn’t build the bridge. So, our state government is only building the same. Two to three years is needed to complete the construction. Insurance cover has been done if there is any casualty during the Gangasagar festival. Economy gets boosted during the Gangasagar fair,” said Mamata.
Taking potshots at the central government Mamata once again urged that the central government should give ‘National’ status to Gangasagar Mela.
“Thousand of crores of rupees the central government gives to Kumbh Mela, but despite several requests they didn’t give national status to this fair,” further added the West Bengal Chief Minister.
Slamming the Odisha government, the West Bengal Chief Minister urged that the Odisha government should send a team from their forest department to rescue a tiger which had entered Bengal on Sunday.
“Couple of days back officers from our forest department worked tirelessly for five days and nights to catch a tiger that entered Bengal a few days back. No sooner had the tiger been caught, than calls started coming for sending the tiger back. If they can’t keep their tiger in their state then send it to Bengal as we have Tiger Reserves. This time they (Odisha) should send a team for rescuing the new tiger which entered Bengal,” mentioned Mamata.
Mamata also visited Bharat Sevashram and Kapil Muni’s Ashram.
