West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday laid the foundation stone for a nearly five-kilometer-long bridge over the Muriganga River to connect Sagar Island, the site of the annual Gangasagar Mela.
According to the reports, the bridge, named ‘Gangasagar Setu’, will cost Rs 1,670 crore and will provide all-weather road connectivity to Sagar Island, located at the confluence of the Hooghly River and the Bay of Bengal.
Every year, millions of devotees from across the country visit Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district on January 14, the occasion of Makar Sankranti, to take a holy dip at the confluence and offer prayers at the Kapil Muni Temple.
The darkness has lifted Gangasagar now shines in glory!
Guided by the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister @MamataOfficial, the Maa-Mati-Manush government has transformed Gangasagar over the last 15 years. Once marked by neglect and uncertainty, today it radiates… pic.twitter.com/KuA9pGgUPg
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) January 5, 2026
During the ceremony, in the presence of the Chief Minister, a formal exchange of documents took place between the West Bengal government and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), the company awarded the construction contract.
Officials said the bridge is expected to be completed within two years. Currently, Sagar Island is accessible only by ferry services, which are often disrupted during the Gangasagar Mela due to the large crowds of pilgrims and tidal conditions.
Santosh Sandilya is a journalist and digital content editor for TheKolkatan.com, covering culture, people, heritage, food, and everyday city-based stories. He focuses on clear, factual reporting with a people-first approach.
Email: thekolkatan@gmail.com
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