Hardinge Bridge — Local services in Rajshahi Division

Hundred years are over and still counting! The 1.8-kilometre long Hardinge Bridge, one of the country's historical attractions, stands still and steady over the Padma river even today with its beauty and pride, running between the railway stations of Pabna's Paksey and Kushtia's Bheramara.

Those who have seen the bridge on their way over the river must have mesmerized with its beauty, but very few can imagine that it has completed its centenary on March 4, 2015. Even those who had guaranteed its centenary are no longer alive!

The steel railway bridge is one of the many British structures in the country. From now, 138 years ago, the bridge plan was proposed by Eastern Bengal Railway in 1889 for better rail communication of the Indian subcontinent, especially Assam, according to official records.

It took 20 years of talks to finally start its construction in 1910. A total of 24,400 construction workers worked till 1914 to complete the mighty bridge. A train had undergone a trial run on its down line on January 1, 1915, and the passenger trains went on operation two months later on March 4.

Though the bridge is also known as Paksey Bridge, it was initially named after Lord Hardinge, the then Vice Roy of this continent who had inaugurated it.

Digging down wells, 15 trusses were founded weighing 1,250 tonnes each to build the bridge. While it took almost three lakh bricks, 30 lakh tonnes of steel, 1,70,000 drums of regular cement and 12 lakh drums of different types of cement to complete the entire construction. The total amount of cost was Tk 3,51,32,164.

British Chief Engineer Robert William Gales was honoured with 'Sir' title for his significant work to design the beautiful, attractive bridge, and for its deepest base of that time.

However, in 1971, the bridge was damaged, especially the ninth and 12th span by Pakistan army's air bombing destroying the communication system of northern region to the south. Later, it was reconstructed with the joint efforts of India and Bangladesh Railway.

This bridge is not only historically but also economically significant, which makes it more important to the people of Pabna. Witnessing history of more than 100 years, it has turned to be one of the popular tourist attractions of the country over the time. Every day many visitors gather there to enjoy the wonderful beauty of the bridge.

And all can only wish that the iconic bridge crosses...

Engineering & Construction Secrets • Lost Bridge Spans During WWI: The main trusses were fabricated in Britain and shipped from Liverpool, but during WWI, three spans were lost at sea due to naval disruptions—German raiders like the cruiser Emden targeted these shipments . • On-site Power Generation: Temporary power plants were built at both banks to feed electricity for cranes, pile drivers, and field workshops during construction—this isn’t widely mentioned in local sources . • River Stabilisation via Bell-Bunds: Massive “guide banks” of Bell-bund design, stretching over 4,000 ft, were engineered to protect piers and permanently stabilize the shifting Padma currents .

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Natural Hazards & Wartime Damage • Severe Erosion in 1933: That year, extreme flooding washed away 490 m of riverbank along the bridge. It took two years to reinforce the foundation and restore safety . • Wartime Bombing & Reconstruction: On 13 December 1971, Indian Air Force bombs hit the 4th span. While emergency repairs reopened it in Oct 1972, full restoration continued until around 1975, aided by Japan .

Material & Labor Details • Span & Weight: Each truss span covered ~345 ft (105 m) and weighed about 1,250 t—1300 t including tracks . • Material Volume: Construction used an astonishing volume: 30 million kg of steel, 300 k bricks, 170,000 cement drums, and 120,000 specialized cement drums . • Massive Workforce: Over 24,000 laborers worked during peak, across 5 years, making it a major regional employer .

Strategic Importance & Legacy • First Cross-Gauge Rail Link: For decades, Hardinge was the sole connection between metre-gauge (North Bengal & Assam) and broad-gauge (South Bengal)—a critical logistics spine until post-1998 Jamuna Bridge expansion . • Symbol of Paksey: As local folklore notes, “the heart and history” of Paksey town—the bridge’s completion transformed it into a bustling rail hub, and a centenary celebration in 2015 highlighted its socio-cultural impact .

Summary • Engineering feats: wartime cargo loss, self-generated electricity, river engineering. • Resilience: survived floods, war damage, and resumed service swiftly. • Impact: created deep labor employment ties, spurred Paksey’s rise, and served as vital...

Harding Bridge, officially known as the Hardinge Bridge, is a significant railway bridge spanning the mighty Padma River in Bangladesh. Located near the town of Pabna, the bridge connects the western and northern regions of the country, playing a crucial role in Bangladesh's transportation infrastructure. Named after Lord Hardinge, the then Viceroy of India, the bridge was constructed during the British colonial period and was completed in 1915.

The bridge is an engineering marvel of its time, stretching over 1.8 kilometers with 15 steel spans resting on massive piers. Its construction involved a combination of cutting-edge engineering techniques and skilled labor, making it one of the longest bridges in the Indian subcontinent at the time. The Hardinge Bridge was crucial in facilitating trade and communication across the Padma River, which had been a significant barrier.

Over the years, the bridge has withstood natural calamities, including devastating floods and the challenges posed by the fast-flowing Padma River. It remains a vital railway link, connecting the capital Dhaka with the northern and western districts of Bangladesh.

Beyond its functional importance, Harding Bridge stands as a historical landmark and a symbol of Bangladesh's colonial past, reflecting the country's rich heritage and resilience. Its majestic structure against the backdrop of the Padma River continues to captivate those...