The Padma Bridge authority collected Tk 2,09,40,300 toll in first 24 hours of opening of the Padma Bridge for traffic movement.

The toll was collected from 6.00am on Sunday to 6.00am on Monday, an official of Padma Bridge project said.

A total of 51,316 vehicles from both Mawa and Zajira sides crossed the Padma River, Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Engineer Md Abul Hossain told Bangla Tribune.

A total of 26,589 vehicles paid Tk10,895,900 at the Toll Plaza at Mawa, while 24,727 vehicles paid Tk10,044,400 at Zajira point.

Earlier, a total of Tk82,19,050 was collected in the first eight hours on Padma Bridge.

The Padma Bridge was opened to traffic at 6am on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the bridge authorities have set a target of collecting a toll of Tk133.66 crore per month. That money will be repaid in 140 installments. For this, the government wants to collect a toll of Tk1,603.97 crore annually.

The government expects that Padma Bridge's construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years, according to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA).

The finance ministry provided BBA with an amount of Tk 30,000 crore as credit, which will be repaid with a one per cent interest rate in 35 years.

According to the government decision, Tk 100 toll has been fixed for motorbikes, Tk 750 for private car and jeep, Tk 1200 from pick-up, Tk 1300 for microbus, Tk 1400 for the small bus (with 31 seats), Tk 2000 for the middle bus (with 32 seats), Tk 2400 for big-size bus, Tk 1600 for the small truck (5 tonnes), Tk 2100 for middle size truck (over 5 tonnes to 8 tonnes),  Tk 2800 for middle size truck (over 8 tonnes to 11 tonnes), Tk 5500 for the big truck (up to 3 excel) Tk 6000 for trailer truck (4 excel) and Tk 6,000 plus for trailer (over 4 excel).

BDST: 1216 HRS, JUN 27, 2022
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