Jamuna Bangabandhu Bridge

The Yamuna multi-purpose bridge connecting Bhuapur in the eastern part of Bangladesh and Sirajganj district in the western part is also known as Bangabandhu Bridge . Inaugurated in June 1998, this bridge is the 6th largest in South Asia and the 11th longest in the world. The foundation stone of the Yamuna Bridge was laid in 1994 with the help of the Japanese government, but the construction of the bridge was completed in 1998. First of all, Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani demanded the construction of a bridge over the Yamuna river, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina implemented it. As a result of the construction of Bangabandhu Yamuna Multipurpose Bridge, along with socio-economic development of the country, there has been a huge improvement in passenger and goods transportation by road and rail.

Spanning from Tangail to Sirajganj on the Yamuna River, this bridge is located on the Asian Highway and the Inter-Asian Railway. The construction of Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge has cost 962 million US dollars. The length of the bridge is 4.8 km and the width is 18.5 meters. The bridge is placed on 121 steel beams 80-85 meters long to withstand natural calamities. The bridge has 49 spans and 50 pillars. There are 4 lane roads and 2 railway tracks for vehicular and train movement over the Yamuna Multipurpose Bridge.

The distance from Tangail city to Yamuna bridge is about 32 km. Tangail can be reached by bus, train or own transport from Dhaka. From Dhaka, Ekta, Sundarban, Lalmoni, Silk City, Padma, Express, Chitra, Dhumketu, Nilsagar, Sirajganj Express and Tangail commuter trains directly alight at the east bank of Yamuna Bridge. The fare will be Tk 120-478 depending on the seat. Again, you can visit the Yamuna multi-purpose bridge by bus or your own transport through Joydevpur-Tangail-Jamalpur highway.

You can return to Dhaka by seeing the Yamuna multi-purpose bridge in one day from Dhaka. However, there are various government and private accommodation facilities in Tangail city for overnight stay. Residential Hotel Al Faisal, Bureau Hotel, Ansari Palace, Hotel Prince and Hotel Shanti are notable. Again, the luxurious Bangabandhu Setu Resort is located near the Yamuna Bridge. If you want to stay at the resort, you have to make a reservation first. You can also stay overnight at Circuit House and Zilla Parishad Dakbungalow if necessary.

There are various quality hotels and restaurants in Tangail town. However, the food restaurants in Nirala corner of the city are more popular. Besides, you can try the famous Porabari of Tangail.

Other attractions in Tangail include Mahera, Pakutia and Dhanbari Zamindar Bari, 201 Dome Mosque and Madhupur National Park.

Feature Image: MaHoSha