Bangladesh
Toll Collection Padma Bridge toll collection in six months is half of the target
Dhaka, January 7: The toll collection on the dream Padma Bridge is set at Tk 1600 crore per annum, but Tk 410 crore has been collected in the first six months, which is half of the target.
Padma Bridge is expected to contribute 1.23 percent to the country's GDP growth. And the GDP of the south-western region is expected to increase by 2.3 percent. The 21 backward districts of the South-Western region are benefiting the most through the opening of the bridge. These districts are getting stronger economically. Product transportation and communication system has become easy. There is no irony in ferry crossing during winter and monsoon season. With the indomitable attitude and determination of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the people of the country are finally able to enjoy the benefits of this bridge.
According to related sources, the target of monthly toll collection from Padma Bridge is 1 thousand 603 crore 97 lakh taka per year. With this money, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority is supposed to pay off the debt of the construction cost in addition to the maintenance of the bridge. The bridge authority will pay Tk 36,000 crore with interest over 35 years, not to any development partner or organization, but to the Bangladesh government itself.
Motorcycle toll is Tk 100 (currently closed), big bus toll Tk 2,400, medium bus toll Tk 2,000, car and jeep Tk 750, four axle trailer Tk 6,000, microbus Tk 1300 and minibus (31 seats or less) ) Toll has been fixed at Tk.1400.
According to the forecast, in 2029, the income from the toll of the Padma Bridge is expected to be Tk 1,804 crore. And the target of income from this bridge in 2050 is 3 thousand 379 crore taka.
In this context, Bangladesh University of Engineering (BUET) professor and transport expert Dr. Samsul Haque said, "We often do feasibility studies to make the project feasible. For example, more traffic has been shown for the construction of the Howre flyover road than the Padma Bridge. But Is it possible at all? It is not a big deal what is predicted for Padma Bridge. The reality is that we need Padma Bridge for strategic reasons. As you can see in Australia there is no shortage of roads but vehicles are not meeting. But it has to be done for strategic reasons. How many crores of tolls are collected annually. It is not a big deal, the construction of Padma bridge was necessary in the context of our country."
