Rangamati’s Kaptai suspension bridge reopens after almost 2 months

After a month and 23 days of closure due to flooding, the iconic Kaptai Lake suspension bridge, often nicknamed the “symbol of Rangamati”, has reopened to the public.

The local administration lifted the ban on Thursday (October 17) after water levels fell, restoring access to one of the district’s most popular tourist attractions.

The bridge had been submerged since July 24, when heavy monsoon rains and waters from upstream caused the lake to overflow, prompting authorities to close it for safety reasons. The bridge is usually closed during the monsoon season, when flooding is common.

Despite the reopening, no tourists were seen at the site today, likely due to the lingering effects of travel restrictions imposed earlier in the district. A few local visitors have been seen crossing the bridge, but the usual influx of tourists has yet to return.

Authorities have suspended ticket sales during the lockdown, said Ramjan Ali, a tenant at the Tourism Boat Ghat.

He added that activities in the region were severely affected by the months-long shutdown.

Local businesses that rely on tourism have struggled to recover from losses suffered during the shutdown. With the reopening, many are hoping for an economic recovery as the peak tourist season approaches.

Alok Bikash Chakma, director of the Rangamati Tourist Corporation, confirmed that the bridge had been cleaned and renovated, expressing optimism about the positive impact on tourism in the coming months.