Hardinge Bridge and Lalon Shah Bridge, Paksey
A century-old steel railway bridge over the Padma, standing beside the modern Lalon Shah road bridge at Paksey.
Opened in 1915, the Hardinge Bridge carries the railway across the Padma between Paksey in Pabna and Bheramara in Kushtia. Its fifteen steel truss spans, each about 110 metres long, made it one of the great engineering works of British India. One span was damaged during the 1971 war and later repaired, a story locals love to tell.
Right alongside runs the Lalon Shah Bridge, a road bridge opened in 2004, and the pair make a dramatic sight from the riverbank at Paksey. Visitors come to watch trains rumble over, take boat rides beneath the spans and enjoy fresh Padma hilsa at riverside eateries.
How to go
Paksey is about 30 km west of Pabna town via Ishwardi. Take a bus to Ishwardi (≈45 min, 50-70 BDT), then an auto to Paksey (≈20 min, 20-40 BDT). Boats under the bridge cost 200-500 BDT.
Where to stay
Stay in Pabna town or Ishwardi (budget to mid-range hotels, 800-3,000 BDT).
