RANGPUR: The second Teesta Road Bridge constructed over the river Teesta here has improved communication networks paving the way for accelerating economic development in Rangpur region, reports UNB.

The LGED has constructed the 850-metre road bridge at a cost of around Taka 122-crore at the Mohipur-Kakina points on the juncture of Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated its construction works on April 12, 2012.

The bridge was opened for traffic in April last easing the communication networks and fulfilling another long-cherished demand of over 18-lakh people of six upazilas of Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts.

Outgoing Divisional Commissioner Kazi Hasan Ahmed said commissioning of the bridge would contribute to speed up development for bringing economic and social benefits to the people of the region.

“The bridge has opened a new access to progress improving communication system to expand regional and international trade and promote agriculture, health and many other sectors to change socio-economic conditions of the people,” he said.

Talking to BSS, local youths Abdul Malek, Abu Torab, Kakoli Rani and Anwara Begum of Gangachara and Kakina upazilas said the bridge has established direct communication with the divisional city of Rangpur, capital city Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Earlier, the river Teesta was the main obstruction for 18-lakh people of six upazilas of the two districts for direct road communication between Lalmonirhat and Rangpur and the situation worsened during the rainy seasons, they said.

Importer Enamul Haque Sohel of Rangpur said, “The Bridge has reduced 60-km distance between Dhaka and Rangpur with Burimari Land Port (BLP) paving way for increasing international trade among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India Nepal (BBIN) nations.”

“The bridge will ease transportation of export-import goods in less time and costs and encourage joint investments in the region to further enhance international trade among the BBIN nations through the BLP,” Sohel said.

Noted international trader Saiduzzaman Sayeed at BLP said, “Before commissioning of the Second Teesta Road Bridge, the journey to Dhaka and Rangpur through the Burimari-Lalmonirhat-Barobari route was perilous and uncomfortable.”

“With commissioning of the bridge, we are using the Burimari-Kakina-Mohipur-Rangpur route and transporting our business and imported products to respective destinations in a shorter time and less costs,” Sayeed said.

President of Rangpur Chamber Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu said the Second Teesta Road Bridge has improved the communication system creating prospect for investments and industrialisation to bring back positive socioeconomic changes to the region.

“Earlier, the river Teesta was a barrier to communication of Lalmonirhat and Rangpur and construction of the bridge by the present government on Kakina-Mohipur points has improved communication network fulfilling our long-cherished hopes,” Titu added.

Parvin Akhter, a resident of Hatibandha upazila town in Lalmonirhat, said relatives of many patients of the area had to cross an additional 60-km road for the river Teesta on their way to Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on emergencies.

“With commissioning of the new bridge, people of the area need two-hour less time to reach at RMCH also at reduced costs though some sick patients died before reaching the hospital in the pasts for many decades,” she said.

She thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for constructing the bridge directly connecting Gangachara upazila of Rangpur with Kaliganj upazila of Lalmonirhat and allowing people to cross it without toll.