Hardinge Bridge, built during the British period



Hardinge's Bridge, established during the British rule on the Padma River at Pakshi in Ishwardi Upazila, is being celebrated today.
Although the railway department has no plans to mark the centenary of the 1896-meter or 5,600-foot-long railway bridge, locals are still celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Hardinge Bridge.

Abul Kalam Azad, a former professor of Pakshi Railway College, the convener of the celebration council, told BBC Bangla that Udichi, Khelaghor and Spondon are jointly holding various programs to commemorate the centenary of Hardinge Bridge.
These include cake cutting, cultural events and discussion meetings with historians.

“This railway bridge is very historic. We are passionate about it. This bridge was damaged in the war of liberation. It was later reformed with the help of the British government. All in all, its centenary is very important to us, ”said Mr. Azad.
Pakshi Railway Divisional Manager Afzal Hossain
 He said, “Even though the bridge is one hundred years old, it is an important foundation of Bangladesh's internal rail connectivity. Besides, the Maitri train goes to India through this bridge. Freight trains from India also have to use this bridge. This bridge is one of the most important installations of Bangladesh Railway.
According to railway and local media reports, in 189 the then undivided Government of India took the initiative to build bridges over the Padma River to facilitate communication between Assam, Tripura, Nagaland and North Bengal.

Later in 1909 the survey for the construction of the bridge began.
24,000 workers worked tirelessly for 5 years and completed the construction of the bridge in 1915.

The construction of the bridge cost about three and a half crore rupees. The bridge has 15 spans.

The bridge was inaugurated on March 4, 1915.

The then Viceroy was Lord Hardinge.

The bridge was named Hardinge Bridge after him.