West Bengal Chief Minister has announced that all pilgrims coming to Gangasagar for the 'mela' next year will be covered by a life insurance cover of five lakh Rupees each. The entire premium amount for this insurance cover will be borne by the state government. This is for the first time that such an insurance cover is being given to all for a fair. It may be mentioned that during the mela, reports do come in of a few deaths every year.
Gangasagar mela happens every year at the time of Makar Sakranti, on 14th January. Situated some 100 km (54 nautical miles) south of Kolkata it is in the 24 Paragnas district of West Bengal.
It is expected that more than five lakh pilgrims will be visiting the mela.
