The 37th edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair, to be inaugurated on January 26, is expected to witness traction in footfalls and sales this year.

According to Mahesh Golani, founder-member of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild, the turnout at the book fair is likely to be higher, due to an additional weekend added to the fair this year, following suggestions from the State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

“The Chief Minister requested us to reschedule the event keeping in mind the medium scale publishers from the State. The period of the fair has been increased to 15 days instead of the previously scheduled 12 days. This gives us an additional weekend (Saturday-Sunday), which is the time when there is maximum footfalls and sales,” Golani said. The book fair will continue till February 10.

The 36{+t}{+h} edition of Kolkata Book Fair last year had 14 lakh footfalls and had registered sales of about Rs 15 crore. “This year we expect footfalls to increase by 2-3 lakh, as the traffic and infrastructure in and around the book fair area has become more organised,” said Sribindu Bhattacharya, Executive Committee Member of the International Kolkata Book Fair 2013.

Special transport arrangements have been made by the organisers and entry fee to the fair has also been waived off. “Nearly 35 buses will ply from Park Circus, Ruby Golpark and Ultadanga areas to transport book lovers free of cost to the book fair at Milan Mela grounds on the eastern outskirts of the city,” Bhattacharya said.

According to sources, the fair will witness over 800 participants this year. The country in focus at this year’s fair would be Bangladesh.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, and novelist Anisur Jjaman, are expected to be present during the inauguration of the event.

shobha.roy@thehindu.co.in

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