C T Online Desk: The movement of trains and vehicles over the bridge will be closed for the next three months for the Kalurghat Bridge renovation work. After the renovation, passenger trains will run over this bridge for the first time in the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar.Railway authorities have stopped all traffic on this bridge since Tuesday (August 1) morning. However, vehicles will move under the bridge through ferry service.
The railway authorities have taken the initiative to repair decking and pavement of the bridge along with the train line of the bridge on an urgent basis for the opening of train movement on the Cox’s Bazar route in September. Railway engineering department said that the bridge will be closed till October 31 for this renovation work.
The Chief Engineer of the Eastern Railway. Abu Zafar Mia told that the Kalurghat bridge renovation work will start from Tuesday (August 1) to dismantle (open) the decking of the bridge. The contractor has already started mobilization of construction materials and equipment at the site. Along with bridge renovation and renewal, a new separate walkway will be constructed for pedestrian crossing.
He also said that all types of vehicles will be closed through the bridge during the repair. The Roads and Highways Department has launched ferry services. Vehicles will also be able to travel by ferry. Heavy vehicles can also travel through Shah Amanat Bridge.
Sources related to the railways said that on June 18, the contract was signed with Max Infrastructure Limited, a contractor, to repair the bridge as suggested by BUET. This century old dilapidated bridge will be renovated at a cost of Tk 55 crore and will be made suitable for passenger train movement on Cox’s Bazar route.
Meanwhile, ferry service has been started under the bridge. There are three ferries in total. 2 ferries will operate. Another 1 ferry has been kept on standby. Although the ferry toll rate has been fixed, the Roads and Highways Department has not found any lessee to collect the toll.
