Eye on Sagar connectivity, tourism boost, PWD floats tenders for bridge across the Muriganga
Times of India | 30 November 2024
12 Kolkata: Following detailed planning over the last few years, the state public works department (PWD) has now floated tenders to set up the 3.3-km long proposed Gangasagar Setu over the Muriganga river in South 24 Parganas. Estimated at Rs 1,438 crore, the bridge that will connect Kakdwip to Kachuberia Sagar Island will improve connectivity and boost tourism and the socio-economic strata of the area.
During a question-and-answer session at the state assembly on Friday, minister of Sunderban affairs Bankim Hazra said that communication has been an area of concern for Ganga Sagar. "The Centre gives around Rs 500 crore for Kumbh Mela but it does not allocate any funds for Ganga Sagar Mela. The PWD floated tenders last Wednesday for setting up Ganga Sagar Setu," Hazra said.
According to the tender document, the project is to be completed within four years by the agency, with a maintenance period of 10 years.
The entire estimated fund of Rs 1,438 crore will be borne by the state.
The bridge, once it comes up, will boost transport logistics and communication between the two islands. The tourism potential will also get a boost. The problem of transport is more evident during the Ganga Sagar Mela, which attracts thousands each year.
Transportation to and from Ganga Sagar Mela is now heavily dependent on ferry services, which become overburdened. Mela visitors have to suffer through overcrowding and long waiting hours. It was to mitigate this transportation issue that the state govt came up with the plan to set up a bridge that will connect Kakdwip with Kachuberia Sagar Island.
"The state govt has been aspiring to give Ganga Sagar Mela a national status like that of Kumbh Mela. While the Centre provides funds for Kumbh Mela, it has never allocated any funds for Ganga Sagar Mela," said a govt official.
Earlier, in the last budget, the state govt allocated significant funds for sprucing up infrastructure and bolstering connectivity, including allocations for the proposed Ganga Sagar Setu.