Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, May 24, 2025, Kolkata: With the Tarakeswar Srabani Mela just around the corner, the Hooghly district administration has stepped up its preparations for the grand event, focusing on passenger safety and crowd control. A high-level administrative meeting was held today in Singur to discuss the necessary measures for the festival, which is set to begin in two months. The meeting was convened against the backdrop of recent safety concerns raised by the Kumbh Mela incident in Uttar Pradesh, where several fatalities occurred due to crowd-related accidents despite extensive safety protocols.
Officials acknowledged that last year, about 24 lakh devotees attended the Mela, and this year, the turnout is expected to be even higher. In response, the administration has introduced additional measures to ensure the safety and convenience of the devotees. Minister Becharam Manna, who was present at the meeting, emphasized the need to prevent any accidents similar to the Kumbh Mela tragedy. He assured that multiple proposals had been adopted to enhance safety, including the installation of 35 iron lock gates along the Baidyabati-Tarakeswar road, improved road lighting, and a significant increase in ambulance services.
To facilitate quick medical assistance, 25 ambulances, including Toto and bike ambulances, will be stationed at strategic points along the route. The Health Department will also deploy one ambulance per panchayat area, from Baidyabati to Tarakeswar, ensuring emergency services are easily accessible to all. Furthermore, the administration is working with the Telecom Department to improve mobile communication coverage across the Tarakeswar area. These measures are expected to improve coordination among emergency services and keep both pilgrims and authorities connected throughout the event.
In a bid to alleviate the transport burden, a request has been made to the Railway Department to run local trains overnight and to operate a special train service between Kamarkundu and Burdwan, ensuring that devotees can travel smoothly to and from the fair. The roads and ghats leading to the temple will be upgraded, including improvements to drainage systems and the services available at the Ganga ghats, which are critical for the event’s operations.
A guide map will also be launched online by the Hooghly District Administration prior to the start of the Mela. This map will provide vital information, including phone numbers for various services, and help attendees navigate the area with ease. Additionally, the district administration will allow organizations wishing to donate goods to apply online through the block office, streamlining the donation process and ensuring proper coordination.
The meeting, held in the Singur Panchayat Samiti meeting room, saw participation from key officials including Hooghly District Magistrate Mukta Arya, Hooghly District Rural Superintendent of Police Kamanshis Sen, and Singur MLA and State Minister Becharam Manna, along with representatives from the Railway Department, Fire Department, Tarakeswar Temple Authority, and various municipal and administrative bodies. The collaborative effort highlights the district’s commitment to ensuring a safe and organized Tarakeswar Srabani Mela, aiming to provide a hassle-free and spiritually enriching experience for millions of devotees.