After extensive renovation, the century-old Kalurghat Bridge over the Karnaphuli River was reopened to traffic on Sunday.
The bridge officially opened around 10 am without any toll charges initially; however, authorities announced that tolls would be implemented in the future for crossing the bridge.
A high barrier was erected at the entrance to restrict the passage of heavy vehicles exceeding eight feet in height.
With the bridge now operational, commuters can travel to their destinations more easily. Additionally, a walkway has been added for pedestrians.
Constructed in 1930 to facilitate troop movement during World War I, the 700-meter Kalurghat Bridge was built by Brunick & Company Bridge Builders in Howrah, featuring a span of 239 meters. A deck was added to accommodate vehicle traffic, and in 1958, it was opened for all types of vehicles.
In response to public suffering, the bridge underwent decking and resurfacing to enhance its capacity as a road bridge alongside its original railway function.
Bangladesh Railway declared the bridge unsafe in 2001, and it remained in use through patchwork repairs, posing significant risks as thousands of people continued to use it. Residents of the Boalkhali and Patiya upazilas have long demanded a new bridge over the river, prompting feasibility studies by various firms from Australia, Taiwan, and Bangladesh.
Due to the deteriorating condition of the Kalurghat Bridge, thousands of commuters have faced difficulties for over two decades. In response to persistent local demands, the previous government proposed the establishment of a rail network connecting China, Myanmar, and India, along with plans to demolish the old Kalurghat railway bridge and construct a new railway and road bridge over the Karnaphuli River.
This project is part of the government's larger initiative for the Dohazari-Ghumdhum railway line.
Sources indicate that on September 21, 2017, the Bangladesh Railway's east zone authorities submitted a development project proposal (DPP) for the Kalurghat railway and road bridge to the Rail Bhaban office in Dhaka. After several revisions, the proposal was presented to the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission for approval on March 27.
Construction on the bridge began in 2020, with a total estimated cost of Tk 1,164.98 crore, funded largely by Tk 1,146 crore from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) of South Korea, with the remainder covered by the government.
The project was scheduled for completion by March of this year; however, delays arose due to political instability, complications with fund disbursement, and weather-related obstacles. Consequently, while train services resumed on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route on November 12, 2023, vehicular movement remained suspended until Sunday.
On the afternoon of September 20, Railway Secretary Abdul Baki inspected the progress of the Kalurghat railway bridge renovation, stating that normal traffic would resume as soon as the renovations were completed.
