CHATTOGRAM: The most-awaited repairing works of the worn-out Kalurghat road-cum-rail Bridge on the river Karnaphuli started on Tuesday.

The entrances on the both sides of the bridge were blocked on Tuesday noon.

Sources said a notice, on behalf of Bangladesh Railway East Zone Engineering Department, was placed on the both sides of the bridge regarding suspension of the traffic movement.

A total of three ferries will be there for regular transportation of vehicles and people to and from Chattogram and Boalkhali upazila, on other bank of the river, they said.     Two ferries will be operated regularly while one will be kept standby, said the Railway Chief Engineer Abu Jafar Miah.

The vehicles will have to ply through the ferries or Shah Amanat Bridge instead of Kalurghat Bridge, he added.

Mentionable, the 92-years-old Kalurghat Bridge has a length of 638 metres as of now.

Trains can run at a speed of 10 kilometres per hour over the bridge. However, sources in the railway said that the speed will be around 50 to 60 kilometres after the completion of the repairing work.

After the installation of new rail line on the bridge, they will also conduct carpeting of the road.

A walkway will also be constructed on the bridge for passing of the pedestrians.

 The trains and vehicular movement will remain stopped during the repairing work.

 After the repairing work, the bridge will help movement of train through the much-awaited Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail line, which is expected to be inaugurated in September next.