Gallery, fence along rly tracks to ensure safety at Ganga aarti spot

In a bid to ensure the safety and security of visitors during Ganga Aarti at Bajekadamtala Ghat, Kolkata Police and the Indian Army have made suggestions, including the construction of a gallery for viewers.

The number of people attending the event has grown steadily, leading to concerns about the infrastructure's ability to handle the crowd. Cops had arranged for 200 seats during the initial days of the aarti, and later scaled it up to 400, but the numbers have kept growing.

Senior officers from Fort William, state transport department, Kolkata Port, Indian Railways, Kolkata Police and KMC on Monday visited Bajekadamtala Ghat to take stock of the infrastructure. They suggested erecting railings around the entire area to stop outsiders from entering the zone and emphasized fencing the railway tracks. Proper toilets at the venue were also identified as the need of the hour.

The Army proposed to the Railways to set up bathrooms in their vicinity. They also stressed the need for providing more barges so that the organizers of the aarti don’t face difficulties in accommodating the devotees, thereby avoiding crowding at the ghat.

The Army has promised to look into all proposals “with an open mind,” and the police have asked for proper gates to ensure frisking can be carried out without any hindrance. The enthusiasm for the Ganga Aarti has increased sharply, and officials fear a collapse of the system if the infrastructure is not strengthened.