Kalurghat Bridge Closed for Three Months while Undergoing Renovation

In order to complete some urgently required maintenance work, rail and car traffic across the century-old Kalurghat Bridge, which spans the Karnaphuli River, has been halted for three months.

The concerned Bangladesh Railway officials said that as of this Wednesday, all train and vehicle movements via the bridge have been halted. According to Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Railway (East) Abu Zafar Mia, the railway authorities would then formally open it with the movement of the train headed for Cox's Bazar.

According to Abu Zafar, rail communication on the Chattogram-Dohazari route would also be halted till the restoration of the Kalurghat bridge.

To ensure seamless vehicle passage, the relevant Roads and Highways Division officials have already started a ferry service under the bridge. Two ferries will run below the bridge while one waits in reserve.

For the Tk 55 crore bridge restoration project, Bangladesh Railway hired a contractor.

The authorities concerned also fixed the tolls for ferrying vehicles: Tk 5 for ferrying rickshaw, van, bicycle and cart, Tk 10 for motorbike, Tk 25 for three-wheeler vehicles, Tk 55 for private cars, Tk 90 for microbus and pickup, Tk 115 for minibus, Tk 135 for vehicles used in agriculture sector, Tk 170 for small truck, Tk 205 for bus, Tk 225 for truck, Tk 450 for heavy truck and Tk 565 for trailer.

The bridge was the only means for ten lakh people in Boalkhali upazila to get to Patiya east zone, Rangunia south zone, Chandgaon and Mohora area of the city.