Padma Bridge sets new records for daily toll collection, vehicle crossings
A total of 52,487 vehicles crossed, and the toll collection amounted to Tk5.43 crore on 5 June
The Padma Bridge has set new records for the highest number of vehicle crossings and toll collection in a single day since its inauguration.
A total of 52,487 vehicles crossed the bridge on 5 June via Mawa in Munshiganj and Jazira in Shariatpur - the highest number since the bridge opened, according to a press release issued by the Bridges Division of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges late last night (6 June).
On the same day, the toll collected amounted to Tk5.43 crore, breaking all previous records.
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The previous highest vehicle crossing in a single day was 51,316 vehicles on 26 June 2022, the inauguration day of the bridge.
The earlier toll collection record was set on 9 April 2024, when authorities collected Tk4.89 crore.
To manage the overwhelming Eid rush, tolls are currently being collected through seven booths on the bridge. Officials said the entire bridge is also being monitored through CCTV cameras to ensure security.
They noted that since the first day of the Eid holiday on 5 June, traffic heading towards the southern region at the Mawa has increased significantly, leading to long vehicle queues at times.
Executive Engineer of the Padma Bridge site office, Abu Sayeed, said, "Vehicle flow on the bridge began to rise from 6am on 3 June. The number of motorcycles has been particularly high. To accommodate this, we've added two temporary booths for motorcycles, bringing the total to three."
OC Zakir Hossain of the Padma Bridge North Police Station stated that additional patrol teams from law enforcement agencies have been deployed in the Padma Bridge area to ensure the safety of travellers.
Separate patrol teams from the traffic police and the highway police are also active along the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway.
Additionally, the Highway Police have set up checkposts at various points along the expressway. They are using speed guns to monitor and curb excessive speeding and overtaking to prevent accidents.
Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Kader Jilani of the Hashara Highway Police Outpost said, "Eight units of highway police are working to ensure security at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge. We are also broadcasting safety messages through loudspeakers. Members of the Ansar force are working alongside police."
