Hardinge Bridge holds history and heritage.by. @pijushhossain

Hardinge Bridge holds history and heritage.

The traditional Hardinge Bridge of Bangladesh still stands in Birdarp after centuries as a witness of many rulers-exploiters and generations that have passed through the ages. The contrast is that it is a lovely beauty. This Bridge was constructed many years ago on the Padma River's bank, which flows over Bangladesh. Then, the water of Padma and the drought was a turbulent wave full of youth. Even though that Padma's youth is coming to an end, Bangladesh's eternal grandeur, the Hardinge Bridge, is still proudly displayed on Padma's chest. This historical Bridge has formed one of the bridges between the northern and southern parts of Bangladesh.

The railway bridge connecting Pabna district and Kushtia district of Bangladesh is Hardinge Bridge, which is the longest railway bridge in Bangladesh. This railway bridge connects Pakshi of Ishwardi upazila of Pabna district to Bheramara upazila of Kushtia district. The construction of this Bridge has a long history. In 1889, Assam with Calcutta, the then British Govt. Sensing the need to establish an uninterrupted communication system with Tripura, he proposed the construction of this Bridge. Although the proposal was not implemented at that time, the structure of the Bridge was started after a few decades in 1909. The construction period of this Bridge was from 1909 to 1915.
24 thousand 400 labourers worked tirelessly to build it, and according to the then estimates, it cost three crore 51 lakh 32 thousand 164 Indian rupees. After the viceroy at the time, Lord Hardinge, the bridge was given the name Hardinge

Bridge. The length of Hardinge Bridge is 1,798.32 meters or 5,894 feet or 18 kilometres. There are two broad gauge railway lines above it. Alexander Meadows Rendell designed the Bridge. This Bridge has a total of 15 spans, each 120 meters long. This traditional Hardinge Bridge was opened on March 4, 1915. During the liberation war of 1971, the Pakistani forces of this bridge tanks, military equipment and soldiers also crossed over it. As a result, bombs were dropped on this Bridge from Allied warplanes. Span 12 of the Bridge collapsed, and spans 9 and 15 were damaged, which were later repaired with the help of the British government. After that, on October 12, 1972, trains started running over the Bridge again. Last year, 2015, marked the centenary of this traditional Hardinge Bridge.
This red-coloured Hardinge Bridge, the holder and bearer of the history and tradition of Bangladesh covered with artistic craftsmanship, continues to attract and fascinate the visitors even after 100 years. Besides, a road bridge was built in 2004 right next to this Bridge, which is known as Lalon Shah Bridge after the famous saint Fakir Lalon Shah of Kushtia district, which combines with the traditional Hardinge Bridge of Padma Buk in a unique beauty.

This Bridge, made entirely of steel, employed many people then. Hardinge's Bridge was relied upon to combat the recent famine and deliver relief supplies to the east. After partition, North Bengal's communication system with Calcutta changed direction. The once bustling Pakshi station and Pakshi city started to lose their charm. Now, those signs are almost disappearing. However, the train from Dhaka to Rangpur still keeps the Hardinge Bridge operational.
Visitors come here frequently from various sections of the nation. Some come to appreciate this unique beauty through boat trips.Besides, every year, foreign tourists are also seen in this place. People are still curious to witness this classic Hardinge Bridge of the subcontinent, even after 100 years since it was built.