Kalurghat Bridge
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Kalurghat Bridge কালুরঘাট সেতু | |
|---|---|
 Kalurghat Bridge in 2017 | |
| Coordinates | 22°23′45″N 91°53′21″E / 22.39585°N 91.88911°E |
| Locale | Kalurghat, Chittagong, Bangladesh |
| Begins | 1930 |
| Ends | 1930 |
| Characteristics | |
| Total length | 239 metres (784 ft) |
| No. of spans | 13 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Brunick & Company Bridge Builders Howrah |
| Opened | 4 June 1930 |
| Location | |
 | |
Kalurghat Bridge is situated over Karnaphuli river. It is located in Chittagong, Bangladesh. From prehistoric times, the site has played a role in river crossings called "Kalur Ghat". Later, this 239 metres (784 ft)[1] long railway bridge was built during the British rule in 1930.[2] Locally, the bridge is popularly known as "Kalurghat's Pole".
It connects the greater Chittagong district bisected by the Karnaphuli river to the north and south. The ninety-years-old bridge was the only link in the southern part of Chittagong, until the inauguration of the Shah Amanat Bridge in 1989.[3] Hence it is called the gateway of South Chittagong.
In 2001, this bridge was declared vulnerable by the Bangladesh Railway.[2] In 2011, a group of researchers from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) announced another risk. In order to use the bridge even for a higher axel load to operate the Dhaka Cox's Bazar direct train link, repair and strengthening of the bridge was necessary based on a detail engineering assessment. A F M Saiful Amin from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology helped the nation to overcome this challenge. This resulted the Dhaka – Cox's Bazar Train line as the most demanding longest train of Bangladesh. The bridge deck was extended by a 6 feet wide dedicated walkway for pedestrians. This attracted the local users in meeting their daily needs for all weather 24/7 safe passage in crossing the bridge.
It was built at a place called Kalurghat, 7/8 miles upstream from the mouth of the Karnaphuli river, the source of Chittagong, the commercial capital of Bangladesh. Which is geographically located south of Chittagong city.
