December 29, 2018
Special buses for Gangasagar Mela
The State Government is taking various measures to ensure for pilgrims and tourists a safe and happy experience at the Gangasagar Mela. It is scheduled to be held on January 10 and 11.
One of the aspects being given stress on is transport. The State Transport Department has decided to run a total of 1,595 buses from January 11 to 17. This is 200 more than last year
The West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) and the South Bengal State Transport Corporation (SBSTC) will be operating the buses. The fares have also been decided by the government.
Besides buses, the department would also run 106 additional vessels and barges, the latter being equipped to carry both people and vehicles. Helicopters would also be kept ready in case they are required, from January 12 to 16.
The number of buses to be run by the WBTC from January 11 to January 17 are 35, 41, 125, 260, 257, 221 and 81, respectively – a total of 1,020.
The rest 575 buses would be run by the SBSTC – 50 buses on January 12, 120 each on January 13 to 15, 110 on January 16 and 55 on January 17.
The buses would leave from Howrah, Babughat and Outram Ghat for Lot No. 8 jetty (in Kakdwip) and Namkhana, and from Lot 8 and Namkhana for Kachuberia and Benuban/Chemaguri, respectively.
The fares are (per person):
- Howrah to Lot 8: Rs 75
- Babughat or Outram Ghat to Lot 8: Rs 70
- Babughat or Outram Ghat to Namkhana: Rs 75
- Howrah to Namkhana: Rs 80
- Lot 8 to Kachuberia: Rs 45
- Namkhana to Benuban/Chemaguri: Rs 8
Besides these designated buses, from January 5, the WBTC would run more than the usual number of buses to Namkhana. On January 15 and 16, when most of the people would return, the Transport Department would run more buses if necessary.
Source: Bartaman
