For nearly a decade, the people of Panchagarh have been waiting for the construction of the Second Karatoya Bridge on the town’s bypass road—a project aimed at easing traffic congestion in the district town. However, despite its importance, the project has been stuck in bureaucratic delays for nine years, causing daily suffering for residents.
According to sources, a proposal for the construction of the Second Karatoya Bridge was sent to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) around nine years ago. The plan includes expanding 3 km of road via Mirgorh and constructing 4.5 km of new road. Additionally, two bridges—300 metres over the Karatoya River and 130 metres over the Chawai River—are to be built. Around 17 hectares of land need to be acquired for the project, and the estimated cost is Tk 127 crore.
Though some initial soil testing has been done, lack of necessary funding has stalled further progress. Meanwhile, the only existing Karatoya Bridge, built about 30 years ago, is under increasing pressure from heavy traffic, especially trucks carrying stone, sand, and railway sleepers. The bridge has become hazardous, with six out of its seven joints in a poor condition.
This bridge is the only direct route connecting the district headquarters to other parts of the country. Hundreds of overloaded trucks travel through it daily, many of them heading to the Banglabandha land port. These trucks often carry loads far beyond the permitted weight limit, which is further damaging the bridge and surrounding roads.
In 2014, the government inaugurated an axle load control centre at Singpara to regulate truck weights, but the machinery soon broke down and has never been repaired. As a result, overloaded vehicles continue to operate unchecked, increasing the risk of accidents and further wear on the already fragile bridge.
Due to the delay in constructing the bypass and second bridge, traffic jams in Panchagarh town have become a daily struggle. The town’s roads are congested with auto-rickshaws, vans, and trucks, making transport difficult and dangerous.
Md. Saiful Islam, General Secretary of the Panchagarh Bus-Minibus and Coach Owners’ Association, said that with only one bridge handling all the traffic, the city’s roads are under immense pressure. “A second bridge is essential to reduce traffic and accidents,” he added.
Md. Shahadat Hossain Ronju, Director of the Panchagarh Chamber of Commerce, echoed similar concerns. He said, “Without an alternative route, the existing bridge remains overloaded, and traffic jams continue to disrupt daily life. A second bridge would greatly ease the burden.”
Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Panchagarh, Sultan Mahmud Bappy, said the previous file had been halted but a new project has now been initiated. “Soil testing and feasibility studies are underway. We hope to receive project approval within a few months. Once built, the second Karatoya Bridge will reduce traffic and improve safety in the town,” he added.
Until then, the people of Panchagarh must continue to bear the daily inconvenience and risks caused by the long delay in this vital infrastructure project.
Caption: The Karatoya Bridge is under threat due to the absence of a second bridge in Panchagarh. Photo BP
