Cherkurghat Bridge in Pirganj Awaits Inauguration

Construction of the Cherkurghat Bridge over the Tangon River in Pirganj, Thakurgaon, has been completed. Although vehicles and pedestrians have already started using the bridge, it has yet to be officially inaugurated.
The much-anticipated bridge is expected to significantly improve communication between Pirganj and Thakurgaon Sadar. Local people are eagerly waiting for its formal opening, which is expected to take place soon.

Built using modern technology, the bridge has already become a popular gathering place. Thousands of people visit the area every day. Small vehicles are also using the bridge despite the absence of an official opening. Solar streetlights installed on the bridge illuminate the area at night. Shops and recreational rides have also been set up nearby, attracting visitors from different age groups. Students and people from various professions are also arranging picnics around the bridge.

Local residents believe that formally opening the bridge will improve road connectivity and bring greater economic opportunities to the area. They expect the bridge to contribute to agriculture, education, healthcare and other sectors while ending long-standing difficulties in crossing the Tangon River.

The bridge currently connects 18 villages under Kosharganj Union No. 2 and Syedpur Union No. 5 of Pirganj upazila, as well as Danarhat and Begunbari union areas of Thakurgaon Sadar. According to the Pirganj Upazila Engineering Office, the 160-metre RCC PSC girder bridge was built at the 1,200-metre chainage of the Cherkurghat-Danarhat via Shalgara road under the second phase of the Rangpur Division Rural Infrastructure Development Project (RDRII-2).

The project was allocated Tk 20 crore 33 lakh 99 thousand 5. The construction contract was awarded to Thakurgaon-based contractor Jamal Hossain. Under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), construction began on October 22, 2022, and was completed on July 20, 2026.

Jamal Hossain, proprietor of Messrs Jamal Hossain on North Circular Road in Thakurgaon, said good-quality construction materials had been used for the bridge. He said he was making every effort to arrange its formal inauguration through the higher authorities. Kosharganj Union Parishad Chairman Golam Mostafa and Syedpur Union Parishad Chairman Nimai Chandra said the Cherkurghat Bridge had fulfilled a long-standing demand of local residents. “The fortunes of the people living on both sides of the river will change because of the bridge,” they said.

Upazila Engineer Maidul Islam said, “The construction of the bridge has been completed. Discussions are underway at different levels for its formal inauguration.” Upazila Nirbahi Officer Golam Rabbani Sardar said the bridge had been completed some time ago and was now awaiting formal inauguration. He said, “Thakurgaon-3 constituency Member of Parliament Zahidur Rahman (Sir) will open the bridge once he fixes the date and time.”

LGED Executive Engineer of Thakurgaon district Shariful Alam said the formal inauguration of the Cherkurghat Bridge was only a matter of time. The bridge was originally scheduled to be inaugurated by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, then MP for Thakurgaon-1, Secretary General of the BNP and Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives. The inauguration was postponed after he assumed the office of President. The bridge is now awaiting a new inauguration date to be fixed by Thakurgaon-3 MP Zahidur Rahman, according to the engineering authorities.