<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, appealed to the Centre to declare the Gangasagar Mela a "national fair".</p>.<p>Mamata, who was at Gangasagar to inaugurate three permanent helipads, said that Kumbh Mela is well-connected by air and rail, but the Gangasagar Mela venue is tough to reach and draws lakhs of pilgrims.</p>.<p>Mamata said that the Centre had been asked several times to declare the mela a national fair, but there was no response. She appealed to the Centre to approve the request.</p>.<p>While the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh receives central funds, for Gangasagar, the state bears the cost, she added.</p>
<p>West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Wednesday, appealed to the Centre to declare the Gangasagar Mela a "national fair".</p>.<p>Mamata, who was at Gangasagar to inaugurate three permanent helipads, said that Kumbh Mela is well-connected by air and rail, but the Gangasagar Mela venue is tough to reach and draws lakhs of pilgrims.</p>.<p>Mamata said that the Centre had been asked several times to declare the mela a national fair, but there was no response. She appealed to the Centre to approve the request.</p>.<p>While the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh receives central funds, for Gangasagar, the state bears the cost, she added.</p>