Padma Bridge opens to traffic

Long queues of vehicles were seen waiting to cross the long-awaited Padma Bridge which opened for public use on Sunday morning.

Buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and ambulances were seen waiting in hundreds on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway till the gates of the bridge opened at 6am.

Around 100 buses of different companies will make their maiden trips via the Padma Bridge on this morning.

A motorcyclist will have to pay Tk100 to cross the Padma Bridge, while the toll is Tk2,400 for a large bus with three axles and Tk2,800 for a medium truck.

In addition, the rate has been set at Tk1,600 for a mini truck (up to five tonnes); Tk2,100 for a medium truck (5-8 tonnes); Tk2,800 for a medium truck (8-11 tonnes); Tk5,500 for truck (up to three axle) and Tk6,000 for trailer (up to four axles). An additional Tk1,500 will be charged for each axle for a trailer larger than four axles.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the plaque the 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge on Saturday. She paid toll as the first traveller on the bridge.