Village Museum | Bucharest

Information

Landmark: Village Museum
City: Bucharest
Country: Romania
Continent: Europe

Village Museum, Bucharest, Romania, Europe

The Lalon Shah Bridge is a road bridge spanning the Padma River, connecting the districts of Pabna and Kushtia in Bangladesh.

Visual Characteristics

The bridge is a concrete and steel structure with a total length of 1.8 kilometers. It features a dual carriageway for vehicular traffic and a pedestrian walkway on each side. The main span consists of three continuous steel truss sections supported by concrete piers. The color of the structure is predominantly grey concrete with weathered steel elements.

Location & Access Logistics

The Lalon Shah Bridge is situated approximately 15 kilometers south of Pabna city center and 20 kilometers west of Kushtia city center. Access from Pabna is via National Highway 4 (N4) heading south, then turning onto Regional Highway 104 (R104). From Kushtia, access is via National Highway 104 (N104) heading west. Ample parking is available at designated areas on both the Pabna and Kushtia sides of the bridge. Public transport, including buses and auto-rickshaws, regularly cross the bridge, connecting the two cities.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of the Lalon Shah Bridge began in 1997 and was completed in 2004. It was built by the China Major Bridge Engineering Company. The bridge was constructed to improve transportation and trade links between the southwestern and northern regions of Bangladesh, alleviating pressure on older ferry services. Ecologically, the bridge spans the Padma River, a major distributary of the Ganges, known for its dynamic flow and sediment transport.

Key Highlights & Activities

Observation of the river's flow and the surrounding landscape from the pedestrian walkway is possible. Photography of the bridge structure and the river at sunrise or sunset is a common activity. Vehicular transit across the bridge is the primary function.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available at the toll plazas on both sides of the bridge. Limited shade is provided by the bridge structure itself. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available. Food vendors are present at the toll plaza areas and in the immediate vicinity on both banks.

Best Time to Visit

For photography, the hours around sunrise and sunset offer optimal lighting conditions. The dry season, from November to March, generally provides clearer skies and calmer river conditions. The monsoon season (June to October) can result in higher river levels and stronger currents.

Facts & Legends

The bridge is named after the influential Bengali mystic and folk poet Lalon Shah, who lived in the region. A local anecdote suggests that during construction, workers encountered unusually strong river currents, which were attributed by some to the river's spirit.