The Padma Bridge inaugurated recently, has surpassed its toll collection target for the outgoing financial year, even with the closure of bike movement for 297 days. In the previous fiscal year, the bridge collected over 806 crore rupees in tolls, while the country’s second-largest bridge, Bangabandhu Bridge, collected Tk 675 crore 58 lakh. However, toll collection at the Bangabandhu Bridge has decreased compared to the previous year.
Despite the higher number of vehicles crossing the Bangabandhu Bridge, the lower toll rate contributes to the comparatively lesser collection. Notably, both bridges experienced a record number of vehicle crossings in July, with Padma Bridge collecting the highest toll that month.
In July, the toll collected at Padma Bridge reached a peak of 78 crore 50 lakh taka, followed by 73 crore 28 lakh taka in June. Eid-ul-Fitr in April also saw a significant toll collection of Tk 71.13 million. However, the collection in other months remained below Tk 70 crore, except for September, which recorded a toll of 59.6 million taka.
The inauguration of the Padma Bridge has affected the traffic flow, as buses and trucks from southern districts now have direct access, reducing the number of vehicles using the Bangabandhu Bridge. As a result, toll collection has decreased.
Since its inauguration in 1998, the Bangabandhu Bridge has collected 7,874 crore 12 lakh taka in tolls, surpassing the construction cost of 3,745 crore 60 lakh taka. However, the loan taken for the bridge construction is yet to be fully repaid.
The successful toll collection at both bridges reflects the increasing connectivity and infrastructure development in Bangladesh, contributing to its economic growth and transportation efficiency.
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