Panchagarh  people happy over building Karatoya bridge

PANCHAGARH, Oct 14: Residents of Mirgarh in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila celebrated the approval of a project to construct a second bridge over the Karatoya River, distributing sweets after learning the news.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the project, which will cost Tk 203.52 crore.

The bridge will be built at Mirgarh on the road connecting Bhajanpur in Tetulia Upazila with Mirgarh in Panchagarh Sadar. The project is scheduled to be implemented from October 2026 to June 2030.

Currently, people and vehicles cross the river using a wooden bridge. Passengers have to pay Tk 10 each to cross it. The situation becomes particularly difficult during the rainy season and when heavy vehicles use the bridge.

Local residents have long been demanding a permanent bridge at the site.

They said the new bridge would improve communication between the two sides of the river and make it easier for farmers to transport their produce to markets. It would also facilitate access to hospitals, educational institutions and business centres.

Local resident Joy said they had been using the wooden bridge for a long time and faced difficulties during the rainy season and when heavy vehicles crossed it.

“If the new bridge is built, our travel problems will be reduced significantly,” he said.
Another resident, Asim Uddin, said the bridge would make it easier to transport agricultural produce to markets and travel to Panchagarh town for healthcare, education and business.

After the project approval was announced, locals gathered in Mirgarh and distributed sweets to celebrate.
Md Motahar Ali, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Panchagarh, said the project had been approved by Ecnec.

“Once implemented, the bridge will reduce the long-standing sufferings of local people and make vehicle movement and transportation of goods along the road easier,” he said.