West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a 5-km bridge in Kolkata connecting Sagar Island to the mainland, aiming to boost commerce and pilgrimage access
Foundation Stone Laid for Bridge Connecting Sagar Island
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of a 5-km-long bridge over the river Muriganga on Monday, January 5, 2026. This bridge will connect Sagar Island with the mainland. Sagar is the largest island in the Sundarbans archipelago, known for the annual Gangasagar Mela pilgrimage during Makar Sankranti.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Bridge Length | 5 km |
| Estimated Cost | ₹1,670 crore |
| Bridge Type | Four-lane |
| Start Point | Lot 8 in Kakdwip |
| End Point | Kachuberia on Sagar Island |
| Completion Time | 2 to 3 years |
| Contractor | L&T (Larsen & Toubro) |
The Chief Minister expressed hope that the bridge will boost business and commerce. It will also make travel easier for pilgrims visiting the Gangasagar Mela. Many devotees visit Sagar Island to take a holy dip at the Kapil Muni Temple during Makar Sankranti.
“I feel proud, even if only a little, for the people of Bengal, for tourists from across the world, for pilgrims and for everyone, including those in the remote areas of the Sundarbans. We do not praise ourselves, but our actions speak louder than words,” Ms. Banerjee said at the public gathering.
Ms. Banerjee noted that it would take two to three years to complete the bridge. She mentioned that the contract for the project has been awarded to L&T. She had previously requested the Union Government for assistance in constructing the bridge. After repeated requests and no response from the Centre, the State Government decided to proceed with the project.
Since her government took power in 2011, 37 bridges of various sizes have been built in South 24 Parganas. She added that travel to Bakkhali has improved due to new bridges over the Hatania-Dowania rivers. Electricity has also reached Sagar Island, and the Sundarbans Police District was created during her tenure.
Ms. Banerjee pointed out that while the Central Government provided funds for the Kumbh Mela, it did not grant any money for the Gangasagar Mela.
She visited Bharat Sevashram Sangh on Sagar Island and announced that families of common people or government employees who die during the fair will receive compensation. She also mentioned that the government removed the tax that pilgrims had to pay when visiting Gangasagar.
