the matla river is so silted up that during the dry season, boats cannot come to the jetties. they have to be stationed 500 yards away. during the monsoons, the river becomes so turbulent that boats cannot ferry people across the river. the sunderban development authority decided to build a bridge on the river at an estimated cost of rs. 290 million. the 644 m road bridge was inaugurated by buddhadeb bhattachajee, chief minister, in january 2011. it links the city with basanti.