‘Mawlana Bhashani Bridge’ in Gaibandha opens to traffic

The 1,490-meter-long Mawlana Bhashani Bridge, spanning the Teesta River in Sundarganj upazila, Gaibandha district, has been opened to traffic, promising enhanced regional connectivity and development.

Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, inaugurated the bridge on the Panchpir Bazar–Chilmari Upazila Sadar road, according to a press release. The event was attended by officials from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Gaibandha Deputy Commissioner’s office, and a Saudi Arabian delegation.

Constructed by the LGED at a cost of Taka 925 crore, the bridge measures 1,490 meters in length and 9.60 meters in width, featuring 155 girders. Funding was provided by the Government of Bangladesh, the Saudi Fund for Development, and the OPEC Fund for International Development. China State Construction Engineering Corporation served as the primary contractor.

The bridge is expected to significantly improve connectivity between Sundarganj in Gaibandha and Chilmari in Kurigram, reducing travel time and costs. This enhanced linkage is anticipated to boost industrial and agricultural production and support the growth of small and medium enterprises. Improved road networks on both riverbanks are also expected to strengthen the region’s education system.

The project is set to create employment opportunities for local communities, contributing to socio-economic development and national economic growth. Additionally, the bridge will shorten the travel distance between Gaibandha and Dhaka by approximately 100 kilometers, fostering tourism and establishing a new transport corridor.