Wed Jan 15 16:13:04 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Claims Record-Breaking Attendance at Gangasagar Mela Amidst Controversy

**Sagar Island, West Bengal, January 15, 2025** – The West Bengal government declared the 2025 Gangasagar Mela a resounding success, claiming over 1.1 crore pilgrims attended the annual event held at the confluence of the Ganges and Bay of Bengal. Power and Youth Affairs Minister Aroop Biswas lauded the arrangements, crediting Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s initiatives for a smooth festival.

However, this claim is met with skepticism. Last year, the government reported a similar figure of over one crore pilgrims without providing verifiable data. A Right to Information (RTI) query revealed only 4.57 lakh vessel tickets were sold in 2024, generating ₹1.83 crore in revenue. Since access to Sagar Island is primarily by boat, this discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the attendance figures.

Minister Biswas defended the government’s claim, stating that not everyone purchases boat tickets. RTI applicant Biswanath Goswami countered this, arguing that pilgrims traveling long distances would unlikely forgo the small vessel fare. He asserted that the government’s attendance figures are inflated.

Despite the controversy, Minister Biswas highlighted the mela’s national significance, noting a large number of attendees from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan. He also reported six deaths (four from Uttar Pradesh) and nine airlifts due to illness. He contrasted the state’s approach with the significant investment in the Mahakumbh Mela, stating that the West Bengal government prioritized care for pilgrims rather than profit.

The mela, which saw 455 theft incidents (432 items recovered), concluded after Makar Sankranti. While the government promoted the event as environmentally friendly, significant garbage accumulation was observed. Approximately 1,123 metric tons of waste were generated, according to the minister, and will be recycled. Additionally, 895 arrests were made for various illegal activities, and 6,627 out of 6,632 missing persons were reunited with their families. Despite the distribution of jute and paper bags, plastic waste remained prevalent throughout the site. Air quality in several areas also reached “very poor” levels.

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