Kolkata, 14 January (H.S.): At 86, chemical scientist Swapan Kumar Sen is proving that age is just a number. With a team of 120 members, he has been working tirelessly to make the temporary camps for pilgrims at Gangasagar Mela fireproof.

The West Bengal government has set up numerous makeshift camps for devotees visiting Gangasagar, but these camps, made of bamboo, hogla leaves (Special Leave), and cloth, are highly flammable. Sen and his team have developed a method to fireproof these materials using chemical treatments.How Fireproofing WorksSen explained that the construction materials are soaked in large tanks filled with chemical solutions. After drying, additional chemicals, including borax, are sprayed on the materials, making them resistant to fire. Two massive water tanks, each measuring 40 feet in length, 40 feet in width, and 5 feet in depth, have been set up at Gangasagar for this purpose. Each tank contains 10,000 liters of water mixed with special fire-retardant chemicals.Even after the camps are built, the team conducts daily chemical sprays to maintain fire resistance. Despite a ban on open fires, some pilgrims still light fires for cooking and warmth, increasing the risk of accidental fires. Sen believes that their fireproofing efforts will slow down fire spread, allowing enough time for people to evacuate safely.Sen Active Since 2007

A resident of Ekdalia Park, Kolkata, Sen has been working on fireproofing Gangasagar Mela since 2007. His expertise has also been used in making Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata fire-resistant. In 2018, he was entrusted with fireproofing the venue of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s event in Shirdi.Sen holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Jadavpur University and later pursued a Master of Science in Chemistry in the United States.

Hindusthan Samachar / SP Singh