Bholaganj, located in Companyganj upazila on the border of Sylhet district, surrounded by nature, is the largest stone quarry in the country. The high mountains of India’s Meghalaya state stand as a natural wall on the border of Bholaganj. The spring coming down from that hill is on the one hand the water supplier of Dhalai river and on the other hand this water flow is the source of the shape of Bholaganj. The green hills, the clouds and the white stones that come down with the rains have added to the beauty of Bholaganj.
The place surrounded by stones at the source of Dhalai river is known as Bholaganj zero point or white stone. The white rock area looks like a delta. Dhalai River enters the Bangladeshi part and divides into two parts, turns around and joins again. Along with the water of the Dhalai River, a lot of rocks come down from the Khasia Jaintia Hills in India. Bholaganj Ropeway was constructed from 1964-1969 to facilitate stone extraction. From Bholaganj, this ropeway is 11.5 miles long and runs up to Chatak, which was in use till 1994. Today, the towers of the ropeway bear the memory of the past. Even though the ropeway has been closed, stone mining has not stopped. Quarrying this stone is still the source of livelihood for many local residents. On the way to Sadapathar from Ghat No. 10, you will see the sight of stones being picked up or stones being carried in small boats.
There is a land customs station on the border at Bholaganj. Limestone is mainly imported through this station. Every day hundreds of trucks enter Bangladesh with limestone. There are two other beautiful places like Utmachara and Turungchara near the Sadapathar area. However, it is better to avoid planning to visit these two places except during the rainy season.
How to go
BRTC, local and tourist buses are available from Ambarkhana in Sylhet to CNG and Bholaganj from Majumdari area. These buses run every 20 minutes from 8 am to 6 pm. You can go to Sadapaghar near Bholaganj zero point for a fare of 70 taka per person. You can go to Bholaganj by local CNG for 130 to 150 taka per person. CNG Reserve fare will cost 1200 to 1300 Tk. 5 people can sit in one CNG. It will take about 1 hour 30 minutes to go from Ambarkhana to Bholaganj. It will cost 800 taka to rent a boat from Bholaganj number 10 boat wharf to and from Sadapathar. A maximum of 10 people can go on each boat, although the authorities do not want to allow more than 8 people on a boat. Explained in this case. no problem If you are traveling alone or with less people, there are many boats that can take 8-10 people from 1 person to 2 people. In that case, sharing the rent will reduce the cost to the boat renter. Go to the white stone area and spend as much time as you like. In this case, talk to the driver and take the phone number of the driver.
If you want, you can directly go to Bholaganj ghat number 10 by reserving a micro or private car. The cost will be Rs. 2500-3000.
Besides, you can go to Bholaganj via CNG, Laguna or private car via Tuk Bazar in Companyganj. Autorickshaw fare from Sylhet city to Tuk Bazar is Tk 200 per person. Trawlers are available from Tuk Bazar to Bholaganj Zero Point Sadapathar. Even during the rainy season you can go to Bholaganj by boat.
Nearest Places to Visit
Utmachara and Turangchara
Two other tourist places near Bholaganj are Utmachahra and Turangchahra. Many people travel to White Stone to visit Utmachara and Turangchara. If you want to go to Utmachara from the white stone of Bholaganj, you have to go to Dayarbazar first. If you tell the boatman that you are going to Bholaganj, he will drop you at Dayarbazar Ghat. In that case, you may have to pay a little more. Or tell me when to fix the boat in advance.
Go to Dayar Bazar and from there take CNG/bike for Tk 30-50 per person and go to Char Bazar. If you go to the fodder market and ask someone, they will show you the way to Utmachara. After 10-15 minutes walk from there you will reach Utmachara point. And it takes 30-40 minutes to walk from Chararbazar to Turangchara. If you want, you can also take a bike from Chararbazar.
While returning to Sylhet, you can directly take CNG from Chararbazar/Dayarbazar/Bholaganj to Ambarkhana in Sylhet according to your location.