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After upgradation of month long Shravani Mela as state’s fair, state ministers today during the inauguration session of the Mela, virtually showered assurances for easy flow of funds. When there are several issues like dangerous  river Ghats and chaotic situation prevailing at Sultanganj market areas still putting hurdles before the saffron-cladded Kanwarais (pilgrims).

State ministers on the dais during inauguration of Shravani Mela.

Inauguration session of the month long Mela today remained BJP’s show opera in which the deputy chief minister, Bihar said that the state government this time upgraded the Mela as state’s fair which will help to run the Mela smoothly under government’s patronage and the Kanwarais would enjoy more facilities.  He said that Rs 5235 crore has been allotted by the government for different important projects mainly for the 105 Km stretch of the Kanwaria Path and its surroundings at Bhagalpur, Munger and Banka districts. Besides, rain shelter, way side amenities, mini cafeteria, way side amenities, sitting center and information kiosk would be constructed beside the Kanwaria Path at 10 points. Besides, at 4 points along the route benches for sitting, RCC convor stand and street solar light would be arranged.

Rituals to mark the occasion at Sultanganj.

He however pay concerned for rampant river pollution and announced that within next two years, not a single drop of dirty water would flow to river Ganga at Sultanganj as the state government is all set to start sewerage treatment plant at here with Rs 6.22 crore’s allocation.

He said that the state government has decided to make Ganga free from pollution here as lakhs of Kanwarais (saffron-cladded pilgrims) take holly Ganga Jal to worship Lord Baidhyanath at Deoghar in neighbouring Jharkhand. Earlier on 2005, when NDA government came in power, it had started for the Kanwaria Path (the alternative kaccha road of 105 km from Sultanganj to Dumma , the border of Jharkhand’s Dumma on which the Kanwarias walk bare footed after taking holly Ganga Jal from Sultanganj) and also constructed the bridge connecting Sidhi Ghat to Lord Ajgaybeenath temple, located on a hill on the river bed here. “We are very serious for the Kanwarais and trying to be a good host,” Modi said at Sultanganj. he also said that the bridge across rive Ganga here with Rs 3,000/- which has been under construction, will be completed within next one and half year and will connect the norther part of Bihar with Sultanganj

Book released on the occasion today.

Union minister of state for health and family welfare, Ashwani Kumar Choubey said the NDA from in Bihar right from 2005 has been thrusted all its priorities to improve facilities for the Kanwarias who came here not only from different parts of the country but also from the abroad. Choubey  expressed his gratitude towards the prime minister, Narendra Modi who already provided funds for the development of Shravani Mela on August 18, 2015 in the total package of Rs 600 crore for Bihar.

The gathering of Kanwarias at the inauguration function at Sidi Ghat, Sultanganj.

Group of state ministers, Bindo Narayna Jha, state PHED minister, Ramnarayan Mandal, state land reform and revenue minister and Promod Kumar, state’s tourism minister in their brief speeches announced for different facilities for the Kanwarais.

Political observers claimed BJP completely hijacked the inauguration session of the Mela this time though local JD-U, MLA from Sultanganj, Subodh Roy and  MLA from Tarapur (Munger), Mewa Lal Choudhary was present at the function.

Saffron-cladded Kanwarias at Sultanganj.

“We have been here every year since long and witnessing the gradual improvement but the infrastructure facilities needed to be improved,” said Anil Pal from Coochbehar of Bengal. While many Kanwarais complain about the poor condition of river Ghats and the main market areas in Sultanganj. “Kanwarias, vehicles, traffics and other things have to share the narrow roads at Sultanganj resulting immense difficulties for the Kanwarias particularly. Why not government construct fly overs for regularize traffic and countering other problems,” said Vinod Kumar, a pilgrims and a civil enginner from Uttar Pradesh.