Low bidder turnout forces Bengal to re-issue ₹1,500 cr Gangasagar bridge tender

The West Bengal government has re-issued a tender for the ₹1,500 crore Gangasagar bridge project after the initial bidding process failed to attract the required number of contractor companies. The proposed 3.5-kilometre-long bridge is planned to span the Muriganga River, connecting Lot 8 in Kakdwip to Kachuberia on Sagar Island in South 24 Parganas district. The project is intended to provide a direct road link between the mainland and Sagar Island, replacing the current dependence on ferry services.

The first tender was cancelled due to an insufficient number of qualified bidders. A new tender notice was issued on July 30. The project is to be fully funded by the state government and aims to facilitate the movement of both residents and pilgrims visiting the Gangasagar Mela. The bridge, once built, is expected to reduce travel time and eliminate disruptions caused by tidal conditions in the river.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier announced the state’s commitment to finance the entire bridge project. The estimated cost of ₹1,500 crore covers the construction of the bridge and associated road connectivity. The project is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in the region, with a focus on long-term accessibility and connectivity to the island.