Plan to build new railway bridge beside historic Hardinge Bridge

The historic Hardinge Bridge, which spans the Padma River in Pakshi of Ishwardi Upazila in Pabna district, is becoming increasingly risky for train operations. In response, Bangladesh Railway is planning to construct a new railway bridge adjacent to the existing one. According to a draft feasibility report, the estimated cost of the new bridge could be around Tk 9,570 crore.

Sources at Bangladesh Railway confirmed that a consortium of consulting firms has already submitted a feasibility report for the project. The report proposes the construction of a 1.8-kilometer-long bridge approximately 300 meters north of the existing Hardinge Bridge. Additionally, 5-kilometer viaducts will be built on both sides of the bridge to connect it with the main railway line. Once the feasibility study is finalized, work will begin on the bridge’s detailed design. While the initial estimated cost stands at Tk 9,570 crore, the final figure may vary depending on the finalized design and feasibility outcomes.

Md. Afzal Hossain, Director General of Bangladesh Railway, told the media that plans are indeed underway to construct a new railway bridge alongside the existing Hardinge Bridge. "Feasibility studies for the new bridge are ongoing. A fresh design and all necessary technical work will also be developed," he said.

The feasibility study for the new bridge is part of a broader technical assistance project titled Preparatory Facility for Infrastructure Development, aimed at enhancing the country’s railway network. Under this initiative, feasibility studies and detailed designs are being conducted for 11 separate projects, one of which is the construction of the new Hardinge Bridge.

The feasibility study is being carried out by a consortium of consulting firms that includes OCGE from Japan, Egis from France, HSS from Malaysia, and Sudeb Consult International Limited from Bangladesh. The agreement for this work was signed on February 14, 2023, and the consultancy component alone is costing Tk 193.64 crore.

Project Director Md. Abidur Rahman stated that the feasibility study is still in progress and has not yet been finalized. Once the detailed design and feasibility assessment are complete, a Development Project Proposal (DPP) will be submitted to the Ministry and the Planning Commission. The feasibility studies for all 11 projects under this initiative are expected to be completed by June 2026.