In a significant development for West Bengal's infrastructure and tourism landscape, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to visit Sagar Island on Monday to lay the foundation stone for the much-awaited Gangasagar Setu. This ambitious bridge project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,670 crore, promises to revolutionize connectivity to the sacred island and unlock its vast socio-economic potential.
A Bridge to Progress: Details of the Gangasagar Setu Project
The Gangasagar Setu will be a four-lane bridge constructed over the Muriganga river. Its primary purpose is to create a direct and reliable link between Kakdwip on the mainland and Kachuberia on Sagar Island. Currently, access to the island is heavily dependent on ferry services, which face severe challenges of overcrowding and long waiting times, especially during the annual Gangasagar Mela.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had previously announced the allocation of approximately Rs 1,700 crore for this project during an event in New Town last month. She also stated that the concrete bridge is expected to be completed within the next two years. The prestigious contract for building the bridge has been awarded to the engineering giant Larsen & Toubro after the tender process matured.
CM's Visit and the Road to Gangasagar Mela 2026
The foundation-laying ceremony is part of the Chief Minister's scheduled visit to Sagar Island on Monday afternoon. She will arrive by helicopter and first participate in a public distribution programme near the helipad. Following this, she will perform the foundation stone-laying ritual for the bridge and inaugurate several other development projects aimed at boosting Sagar Island's infrastructure.
During her visit, Banerjee is also expected to pay a visit to the Bharat Sevashram Sangha and may offer prayers at the revered Kapil Muni temple. She is scheduled to return to Kolkata on Tuesday.
This visit coincides with the final preparations for the upcoming Gangasagar Mela in 2026, which is set to commence on January 8. The district administration of South 24 Parganas is gearing up for a record turnout of pilgrims. Officials are augmenting critical facilities, including drinking water arrangements, toilets, waste management systems, and increasing the number of sheds and hangars for pilgrim accommodation.
Transformative Impact on Connectivity, Economy, and Pilgrimage
The Gangasagar Setu is projected to be a game-changer for the region. Government officials highlight that the bridge will drastically improve access for the millions of pilgrims who visit the Gangasagar Mela, one of the world's largest human congregations. By eliminating the dependency on ferries, it will ensure smoother, safer, and faster travel.
Beyond pilgrimage, the bridge is set to provide a massive boost to tourism and the local economy. It will enhance trading access and transportation for agricultural and industrial products from the island. In the long run, the improved connectivity also opens up opportunities for developing a river port in the future.
A government official emphasized the state's vision, stating, "The state government has been aspiring to give Gangasagar Mela a national status like that of Kumbh Mela." The Gangasagar Setu is a cornerstone infrastructure project intended to support that very ambition, transforming Sagar Island into a more accessible and developed destination while uplifting the socio-economic strata of the local population.
