Record number of pilgrims at Sagar Island on Makar Sankranti
On Sunday, January 14, the South 24-Parganas district administration reported that an unprecedented 65 lakh pilgrims participated in the Gangasagar Mela by taking a dip in the sea at Sagar Island.
As per the latest reports, the influx of pilgrims and tourists is rapidly increasing today, the day of Makar Sankranti (scheduled from 12.30 am on Monday to 12.13 am on Tuesday).
On January 13, the pilgrim count at Sagar Island was 45 lakh.
The district administration is equipped with a robust surveillance system, consisting of 1,150 CCTV cameras, 22 drones, 10 satellite phones and 140 manpacks.
A QR-code scanning system is providing pilgrims with information on drinking water facilities, toilets, ATMs, healthcare services, enquiry centres, and bus and ferry timings.
The Gangasagar Bakkhali Development Authority (GBDA) has been campaigning for a ‘plastic-free Gangasagar’. Pilgrims have been provided with environmentally-friendly carry bags and around 1,000 cleaners have deployed in the beach area.
