Requirements for Mela Sanitation

A. BEFORE THE MELA STARTS:

1. Size -If it is a permanent place of pilgrimage like Tarakeswar or Hardwar, where there are permanent
inhabitants, extra space for the additional people has to be found out. Mela site should be leveled and
cleansed. The area should be planned for roads, shops and temporary sheds for the accommodation of
the people. The whole area should be lighted during night. There should be good should be lighted during
night. There should be good approach road.
2. Accommodation -Temporary sheds to be constructed
3. Water supply -Piped water from the reservoirs with taps or tube wells.
4. Food supply -Shops with whole-some food should be started.
5. Temporary latrines -One seat for 1000 people and trenching for the disposal.
6. Health office -A.D.H.S., D.H.O. should be staying in the mela area.
7. Temporary hospital -For infectious diseases in particular.
8. Police station -Law and order to be maintained by the Police.
9. Publicity office -to inform people about the arrangements made so that they may avail them
10. Appointment of sweepers -1 for 1000 people coming.

B. DURING THE MELA:

1. Supply of protected water -regular disinfection of water source.

2. Maintaining cleanliness of the mela ground by scavengers.
3. Disposal of refuse and human excreta.
4. Immunization of the people -Protection of the shop-keepers.
5. First aid centres in the different zones of the mela ground.
6. Isolation and treatment of the sick in the hospital.
7. Law and order -Watch over the anti-social elements.
8. Encourage people to leave the mela area as soon as possible.

C. AFTER THE MELA IS OVER:

1. Cleaning the area particularly in a permanent place of pilgrimage by disposal of refuse of all types.
2. Transfer of the sick: if any to the nearest hospital for complete treatment.

The following points should particularly be attended before the mela starts :

1. Accommodation:
After selection of the site the whole area should be cleared of jungles and vegetations and divided into
plots. Each plot should be kept under the supervision of a Sanitary Inspector with a conservancy squad
who will be responsible for all sanitary measures for that area. There must be a provision of police patrol
to enforce all sanitary measures in general. The place should be carefully marked out and provision
should be made for the accommodation of police. Hospital, water-supply, residential blocks and latrines.
All shallow depressions and pools should be filled up or fenced in, so that people cannot use them.

2. Medical and Sanitary Arrangements

Every fair shall be under the charge of the Medical Officer of Health. Each block should be placed under
the charge of a Sanitary Inspector who will inspect daily the area under him and report the occurrence of
 any suspicious case of illness. Arrangements must also be made for receiving daily report from sweepers
in charge of latrines. Any infectious case should at once be removed to the temporary hospital thus
isolating the patients. The first aid treatment centres should be opened in different sections of mela with
out-doors treatment centre and medical inspection room. Anti-cholera and smallpox vaccination should be
given to the pilgrims and shop-keepers.

3. Water supply:
Deep tube-well should be sunk. This should be considered as ideal for the absence of filtered water-
supply. Existing tanks and wells, if any, should be treated with bleaching powder daily and new wells
must be dug. All well water should be disinfected with bleaching powder before opening of mela. If there
are existing tanks, a few should be reserved for supply of drinking water.
The problem of water-supply should be made easier. By arranging big galvanized iron tanks (400 gallons)
with taps at selected places irregularly filled with purified water in different sections of the mela by pipes.
Water-supply in regard to Mela Sanitation is very important. Since pilgrims are commonly affected by
water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery.

4. Conservancy:
Trench latrine, measuring 40" x 12" x 18" deep should be dug -one seat for every 1000 persons, with
partitions made of bamboo. After evacuation of stool it is to be covered by the user with the excavated
earth. A trench can have 12 seats in a row with bamboo partitions. Mobile screens to be placed in front of
and behind the trench. Disinfectants like bleaching powder should be given on the sides. One sweeper for
every 1000 persons should be appointed.

5. Food Supply
Arrangement should be made for supply of pure and wholesome food at, a reasonable price. Sanitary
Inspectors should examine the milk, fish and other foods and see that these are kept clean. All prepared
foods should be kept covered.

6. Publicity and Propaganda:

This should be done in the mela grounds by loud speakers, shows on picture, posters etc., advising the
pilgrims to follow hygienic principles. Pilgrims should also be advised by posters, news appears and
advertisements about necessity of taking of precautionary and preventive measures long before the
opening of mela.

7. Lighting arrangements during night are also necessary.

Government has also made several arrangements for the annual Gangasagar Mela:

Various arrangements of temporary nature for adequate accommodation, offices, water supply, sanitation
Temporary hospitals along with outdoor dispensary at Sagar island along with emergency helicopter
services
Safe and adequate drinking water services are being provided
Temporary sanitary (mobile toilets) and waste water disposal arrangements
Arrangements for fire-fighting, including setting up facilities at Kolkatas Outram Ghat, Kachuberia,
Chemaguri/Benuban and Sagar Mela ground
Arrangements for bathing ghats (including changing rooms) at Sagar Island
Arrangement of temporary banking facility at Sagar Mela ground
 Police outposts at Sagar Mela ground
Solid waste collection by automatic disposal vehicle
As a special initiative, the Chief Minister has waived pilgrims tax