Teesta Bridge Opens, Bringing Northern Dream to Reality

After years of delays, the dream of the people of Kurigram and Gaibandha is finally being fulfilled, as their 1,490-metre Third Teesta Road Bridge is set to open for traffic on Wednesday.

The project deadline had already been extend five times. However, the much anticipated structure will now connect Chilmari upazila in Kurigram with Sundarganj in Gaibandha, promising faster travel and new economic opportunities across northern Bangladesh.

The project was implemented under the supervision of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a total cost of over Tk 7.3 billion, the project includes the main bridge, approach roads, river training, culverts, and land acquisition. It is Funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, construction began in September 2020 and was completed in August 2025.

This bridge is the third and longest road bridge over the Teesta River. The first, built in Lalmonirhat in 2012, measures 750 metres,while the second, completed in Rangpur’s Gangachara in 2018.

Local Residents say the bridge will transform their lives. Farmers, traders, and commuters expect quicker access to Rangpur and Dhaka, with the distance between Kurigram and the capital cut by nearly 100 kilometres. In addition, local businesses are already seeing a rise in land values. For the direct link between Sonahat land port and Chilmari river port is expected to unlock trade potential.

Uzzal Chowdhury, Executive Engineer of Gaibandha LGED, said “This bridge is more than just infrastructure it’s a symbol of progress and hope for the Teesta region,”