Rangamati's 'hanging bridge' under water, tourists are returning disappointed
September 27, 20243 Mins Read

Jumbangla Desk: The suspension bridge known as the tourist icon of Rangamati has been under water for more than 15 days. Tourists expressed their disappointment as they were drowned in the water of Kaptai Lake.

Tourists visiting Rangamati on World Tourism Day have expressed their anger over this.

Salauddin, who came to visit from Chittagong, said, 'I have come to see the hanging bridge. Now see it hanging underwater. I heard that every year at this time the bridge goes under water. Therefore, the concerned authorities have to take necessary measures in this regard so that the bridge does not sink in the water by renovating it. Besides, I don't see anything else to roam around in Rangamati. All the sightseeing in the city is over. So I have to return home disappointed.'

Nibilas Das, a tourist visiting from Cox's Bazar, said that it is not expected that this bridge, which is the most attractive tourist attraction of Rangamati, will remain under water like this. Tourists come from far and wide just to see this bridge. But they are disappointed and have to go back. And this one tourist suspension bridge represents the entire Rangamati. Thus sinking the bridge is detrimental to the tourism industry of Rangamati. I think the authorities should think about it.'

Meanwhile, due to long time this bridge of tourism is submerged in water, the businessmen related to tourism are facing business loss. Since there are no tourists, everyone from the tourist boat drivers to the itinerant vendors of mountain products sitting in the hanging bridge area have a look of disappointment on their faces. On the other hand, local people including incoming tourists have called on the authorities to improve the beauty of the tourist area for tourists by renovating the suspension bridge and moving the bridge higher.

Nature's treasure trove of Jhiri, Jharna, Green Valley, Kaptai Lake, Machang Ghar Polwell Park, Aranyak Resort, Suvlong Jharna in Rangamati district enthralls anyone. Tourists flock to Rangamati from different parts of the country to bathe in the clear water of the mountain springs. The nature of the mountains is decorated in different forms in each season. Among them, this suspension bridge is one of the attractions of tourists visiting Rangamati. Any tourist who comes to Rangamati does not want to leave without seeing the hanging bridge of tourism.

According to sources related to tourism, this 'Cable Stay Bridge' was built in 1985 by connecting two hills located at the end of Rangamati city. About 300 feet long, this bridge stands on thick cables and four pillars at both ends. According to Tourism Corporation sources, the construction company of the bridge has designed and built this bridge. But due to lack of accurate knowledge of the water level of the lake at that time, the construction company had difficulty in determining the height of the installation. As a result, the bridge sank under water during the monsoon season in 1987, two years after its inauguration. Since then, almost always the year of heavy rain falls under the water. Also, when the sluices of the dam are closed to conserve water for the generation of electricity at the Kaptai hydroelectric station, this tourist attraction bridge sinks due to excess water.

Alok Vikas Chakma, manager of Rangamati Tourism Corporation, said the water in the hanging bridge has started to recede a little. And in a few days, if the water subsides and is suitable for movement, it will be renovated and the suspension bridge will be opened for traffic again. And this suspension bridge sinks under the water every year during the monsoon season. Therefore higher authorities have been informed about shifting the bridge higher.- UNB