‘Padma Bridge construction cost to be repaid by 2057’

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that the construction cost of the Padma Bridge would be recovered by 2057. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority will repay the entire loan given by the government for the construction of the bridge by 140 quarterly installments in 35 years from toll collection.

He came up with the statement during the question-answer session of the Parliament on Monday (June 27).

The Minister for Road Transport and Bridges also thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the House for the construction and inauguration of the Padma Bridge.

Replying to a question from Awami League MP AKM Rahmatullah (Dhaka-11), Obaidul Quader said tolls are collected from two bridges under the bridge authority. These are the Bangabandhu Bridge over Jamuna River and the Muktarpur Bridge over Dhaleshwari River. The weight of the vehicles moving on these bridge is determined with automatic scale. Trucks carrying goods in excess of the prescribed weight on the weight scale are not allowed to cross the bridge.

In replying to the question raised by Shamsul Haque Tuku, Awami League MP (Pabna-1), Obaidul Quader said a feasibility study has been carried out for the construction of a second Padma Bridge on Paturia-Daulatdia under the bridge department. Necessary steps will be taken for the construction of the bridge if instructions are received later.