Gabkhan channel (গাবখান চ্যানেল) is the only man made canal that is being used as a naval route in Bangladesh. It connects the two rivers named Shandha (সন্ধা নদী) and Shugondha (সুগন্ধা নদী). Those two rivers are flowing almost in parallel and this channel between those simply reduced the naval route and eased the communication. This is why it is also known as the Suez Canal of Bangladesh.
The channel has a bridge over it and which is a part of the Barisal-Pirojpur (বরিশাল-পিরোজপুর) highway. Several water vehicles including the Paddle Steamer (aka Rocket Steamer) use to go under this bridge (through the canal). This bridge has footpath for the pedestrians and lot of local people use to gather here during the afternoon.
After visiting the Kirtipasha Jomidar Bari we were heading towards our destination and this bridge came on our way. In fact we had a plan to have a stoppage on this bridge for a while. So we have stopped our car at the middle of the bridge and passed few moment there. We have taken few snaps from the around and then started for our utmost destination.
It was during the high tide when we were observing the canal from the bridge. So it seemed a canal with full of water. But in reality, the canal is losing its depth since last few years. During the low tide it shrinks drastically and makes the canal difficult to navigate for the bigger vehicles. Someone should take an initiative to rescue the canal!
How to Go:
It is on the way of Barisal-Pirojpur (বরিশাল-পিরোজপুর) through the highway. You can have a pause on the bride during that time (of course you have to be on a private vehicle). Alternately you can come from Jhalokathi (ঝালকাঠি) town. Its only 10/15 minutes of Auto Rickshaw drive. GPS coordinate of the bridge is (22°38’28.65″N, 90°10’44.22″E).
It was the day-1 of our four days trip at Southern Bangladesh. We have traveled Barisal (বরিশাল), Jhalokathi (ঝালকাঠি), Pirojpur (পিরোজপুর), Bagerhat (বাগেরহাট), and Khulna (খুলনা) on those days.
Gabkhan Channel and the Bridge (গাবখান চ্যানেল ও সেতু),
Upazela: Jhalakathi Sadar (ঝালকাঠি সদর উপজেলা),
District: Jhalakathi (ঝালকাঠি জেলা),
Country: Bangladesh (বাংলাদেশ),
GPS Coordinate: (22°38’28.65″N, 90°10’44.22″E)
This article has written by Lonely Traveler,
for the blog https://alonelytraveler.com/
