Bangladesh's longest and self-financed Padma Bridge opens to traffic, to reduce travel time between Kolkata, Dhaka

Dhaka: The much-awaited Padma Bridge connecting India-Bangladesh was opened for vehicular movement at 6 am on Sunday.

On the first day, hundreds of vehicles were seen waiting to cross the multipurpose bridge.

A total of 14 booths have been set up to collect tolls in manual system.

A motorcyclist will have to pay Tk100 to cross the bridge, while the toll is Tk2,400 for a bus and Tk2,800 for a medium-sized truck.

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 unveiled the plaque of the 6.15 kilometre Padma Bridge at Mawa end in Munsiganj at a colourful ceremony on Saturday noon.

The PM became the first person to cross the Padma Bridge by paying toll.

The bridge will connect 21 districts of South Bengal and North Bengal. It will reduce the road distance between Dhaka and Barisal to just three hours.

Besides, it will take only five minutes to cross the Padma bridge.

The journey from Kolkata to Dhaka-Jessore will become easier. Now, the journey from Benapole to Petropol will take 45 minutes from Jessore. Sealdah is two hours from Bangaon. As such, one can reach Dhaka from Kolkata in less than six hours. At present, the bus takes at least 12 hours.

The fate of people of 21 districts of South Bengal will be changed through the Padma Bridge. Barisal and Khulna districts will move forward on the path of becoming economically self-sufficient, besides enrolling on the development highway. That is why, now the tide of joy is flowing all over the southern region.

"It is a mega project of Bangladesh completely financed by the Government of Bangladesh. With the construction of the Padma bridge, the Bangladesh government has set an example for other countries in South Asia by constructing the bridge on its own money which will no doubt encourage other countries to come forward in order to develop good regional connectivity by taking on more projects like this," a Bangladesh PMO official said. (Inputs from agencies)