After 14 months, Chittagong’s Kalurghat Bridge has reopened for vehicular traffic.
The bridge was officially opened at 10am on Sunday, offering relief to residents of Boalkhali and South Chittagong.
Bangladesh Railway (Eastern Region) Bridge Engineer Jishan Dutta said: “The 90-year-old Kalurghat Bridge was renovated based on Buet experts' recommendations and reopened today (Sunday).
“The renovation took about 14 months, and for now, vehicles can cross the bridge toll-free. All vehicles up to eight feet in height are permitted, though heavy vehicles like trucks and buses remain restricted.”
Md Ali, a resident of Boalkhali, said: “The closure of the bridge caused severe inconvenience for thousands in Boalkhali and South Chittagong. People had to rely on ferries for the past 14 months.
“We urge the government to expedite the construction of a new bridge over the Karnaphuli River, and we trust they will ensure it is completed promptly.”
Built in 1930, the 239-metre Kalurghat Bridge had become unfit for both rail and road traffic. Following recommendations from a Buet expert team, the bridge—closed since August 1, 2023, for renovation—has now resumed operations.
The rail-cum-road bridge has also been fitted with walkways for pedestrians, enhancing accessibility, according to officials.
The Tk55 crore renovation project aimed to improve vehicle flow alongside intercity rail traffic on the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar route, which began operations on November 12, 2023.