A new look for Bhanga Gol Chattar

Bangladesh’s first six-lane expressway will start in Dhaka and tentatively end at Bhanga, an upazila on the banks of the Kumar River in Faridpur, after crossing Padma Bridge. A tangle of roads, locally known as Bhanga Gol Chattar, in the upazila has taken on a fresh, new look thanks to the development of the Padma Bridge and the expressway nearby. None of the country’s other highways can boast a similar view.

The tangle of roads, locally known as Bhanga Gol Chattar, connects Dhaka to Benapole, the country’s biggest land port, Monga Port, Kuakata and the Payra Sea Port. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

The 55km-long expressway, stretching from Dhaka's Jatrabari to Bhanga via Mawa, has been formally opened to traffic, but the entire scope of the road will only be accessible after the opening of Padma Bridge. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

The government modernised Bhanga Gol Chattar, which connects more than 21 districts in the south and western parts of the country, during the construction of the six-lane Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

Bhanga Gol Chattar, eases inter-district travel between Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Barishal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Jhalokati, Bhola, Gopalganj, Narail, Magura, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, Satkhira, Jhenaidah, Rajbari, Kushtia, Chuadanga and Meherpur. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

Four wide four-lane roads lead off in four separate directions from Bhanga Gol Chattar. The road on the north side connects Rajbari, Kushtia and Meherpur to Faridpur Sadar. It is possible to travel to Dhaka via Manikganj along the road after crossing on a ferry at the Daulatdia terminal. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

The road heading west from Bhanga Gol Chattar connects Gopalganj, Bagerhat, Khulna and Jashore to Benapole. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

The road heading south from Bhanga Gol Chattar connects Barishal and Patuakhali to Kuakata via Madaripur. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

The road heading east of Bhanga Gol Chattar is the first ever expressway built in Bangladesh. The road, when complete, will travel across Padma Bridge to Dhaka. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

No vehicles will have to wait for a traffic signal at Bhanga Gol Chattar. The design will allow vehicles to continue along their respective lanes without any disruptions. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman

From a bird’s eye view, Bhanga Gol Chattar looks like a flower in bloom. The effect is even more striking when the street lights are lit at night. Photo: Muhammad Mostafigur Rahman