Gaibandha: The Teesta Bridge, constructed over the Teesta River to connect the districts of Kurigram and Gaibandha, is set to open for public and vehicular movement tomorrow. Uzzal Chowdhury, the executive engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Gaibandha, has confirmed this development.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the bridge is one of the largest ever constructed by the LGED, spanning 1,490 meters between Horipur Kheyaghat in Sundarganj upazila, Gaibandha, and Chilmari Kheyaghat in Kurigram district. The bridge promises to reduce the travel distance between these two districts by over 100 kilometers, significantly improving connectivity.
A Chinese contractor is building the PC girder bridge with financial assistance from the Saudi Development Foundation, at a total construction cost of Taka 730 crore 85 lakh. Of this, Taka 279 crore 47 lakh was allocated for the main bridge construction, Taka 10 crore 25 lakh for approach road construction, Taka 8 crore 55 lakh for river management, and Taka 6 crore for land acquisition.
The bridge comprises 30 pillars, with 28 located within the river and 2 on the outer banks. Additionally, river control measures extend 3.15 kilometers on both sides of the bridge, ensuring stability and safety.
Furthermore, a total of 57.3 kilometers of roads will be constructed on either side of the bridge-7.3 km from Chilmari Matikata Junction to the bridge, and 50 km from Dhaperhat in Sadullapur upazila to Haripur Bridge.
The bridge is anticipated to play a crucial role in enhancing the transportation of agricultural products to Rangpur city, as well as Kurigram and Gaibandha towns. This development will help farmers market their produce more efficiently, boosting their incomes and contributing to improved socio-economic conditions in the region.