Muriganga Bridge Project to Transform Connectivity in West Bengal’s Sundarbans

New Bridge to Boost Connectivity and Economy in Sundarbans Region

In a major infrastructure announcement, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone for a significant new bridge over the Muriganga river. The 5-kilometer structure will directly link Sagar Island, the largest island in the Sundarbans delta, with the mainland at Kakdwip. The project represents a critical push to enhance connectivity in the ecologically sensitive and strategically important region.

Project Specifications and Timeline
Awarded to infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro, the four-lane bridge will connect Kachuberia on Sagar Island to Lot 8 in Kakdwip. With an estimated investment of ₹1,670 crore, the project is slated for completion within two to three years. Once operational, it will end the current reliance on ferry services for crossing the Muriganga river, providing a reliable, all-weather link for the island's residents and visitors.

Transforming Pilgrimage and Commerce
The bridge is set to have a transformative impact, particularly on the annual Gangasagar Mela. Held every Makar Sankranti, the fair attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims to Sagar Island, believed to be the sacred confluence of the Ganga and the Bay of Bengal near the Kapil Muni Temple. Improved road access is expected to streamline pilgrim movement, enhance crowd management, and significantly boost local tourism, trade, and commerce throughout the year.

Broader Infrastructure Initiatives
Highlighting her government's focus on the region, the Chief Minister noted that 37 bridges of various sizes have been built in South 24 Parganas district since 2011. She cited improved road access to Bakkhali via bridges over the Hatania-Dowania rivers as a prior success. Other key developments mentioned include the extension of the electrical grid to Sagar Island and the creation of a dedicated Sundarbans Police District to strengthen administrative and security frameworks in the mangrove ecosystem.

Governance and Welfare Announcements
During her visit, the Chief Minister also addressed issues of central assistance. She stated that the state government proceeded with the bridge project after its repeated proposals to the Union Government elicited no response. She contrasted the central funding received for the Kumbh Mela with the lack of grants for the Gangasagar Mela. At a event with the Bharat Sevashram Sangh on the island, she announced compensation for families of any civilians or government employees who might die during the fair. She also recalled the abolition of the Gangasagar pilgrimage tax after her government came to power.

Important Facts for Exams

• Sagar Island is the largest island within the Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its vast mangrove forests.

• The Muriganga river is a distributary of the Ganga that separates Sagar Island from the mainland.

• The Gangasagar Mela is one of India's largest religious congregations, taking place every January during Makar Sankranti.