West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for the ambitious Gangasagar Setu, a four-lane bridge over the Muriganga River, aimed at providing permanent road connectivity between Sagar Island and the mainland.
The five-kilometre-long bridge, estimated to cost ₹1,670 crore, will connect Lot 8 in Kakdwip with Kachuberia on Sagar Island, one of the most important pilgrimage and tourism destinations in the Sundarbans. At present, access to the island depends largely on ferry services, which are often disrupted due to adverse weather and tidal conditions. The new bridge is expected to offer all-weather connectivity, making travel safer, faster, and more reliable for residents, pilgrims, and tourists.
Addressing a public gathering, the Chief Minister said the project would act as a major catalyst for regional development by boosting trade, tourism, and employment opportunities. She added that construction is likely to be completed within the next two to three years. Engineering major Larsen & Toubro has been awarded the contract for executing the project.
Highlighting broader development efforts, the Chief Minister noted that 37 bridges have been built in South 24 Parganas since 2011, electricity access on Sagar Island has improved significantly, and a dedicated Sundarbans Police District has been established to strengthen governance and security in the region.
