Attraction of Rangamati’s Hanging Bridge Declining, Fewer Tourists Visiting

The hanging bridge over Kaptai Lake in Rangamati was once a major tourist attraction. Located in Tablachhari, the bridge now fails to draw visitors as before. Over the past decade, new resorts and tourism spots have emerged around Rangamati, but there are no recreational facilities near the bridge.

Private sector tourists Arifur Rahman and Mohammad Abdullah said that after visiting several times, they found nothing new at the bridge. There is little to do besides seeing the bridge, while other spots in and around the town allow for longer visits.

Constructed in 1986 by the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation, the bridge stands on two pillars between two hills. During winter, one to one and a half thousand visitors come daily. After the COVID-19 pandemic, weekend crowds rose to six to seven thousand, but now visitor numbers have dropped to four to five thousand. In the rainy season, the bridge is submerged, limiting visitor access.

The Tourism Corporation plans to beautify the bridge and surrounding area. A proposal for a new hanging bridge has been submitted, allowing tourists to stay until evening and providing employment opportunities for locals.

Khaborwala/TSN