Padma Bridge use to be up to 50% costlier than ferry

The government has set toll rates 40 to 50 percent higher than that of a ferry for vehicles that would pass the Padma Multipurpose Bridge over as it opens to traffic next June.

In a recent meeting, the Finance Ministry approved the Bangladesh Bridges Division’s proposal on setting the toll for various vehicles, sources said.

The Bridges Division will also place the proposal to their board meeting on June 24 for approval. Then the proposal will be sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her final authorisation.

Earlier, a committee formed to work out tolls prepared a report on 27th February, recommending a 140 to 152 percent higher rate compared to a ferry fee.

Bridges Division secretary Md. Abu Bakr Siddique said, “Tolls proposal for passing the Padma Bridge has been finalised. The Finance Ministry also approved it. Now the proposal will be placed at the board meeting.”

As the board gives green signal, the toll proposal summary will then be sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her approval, he said.

All the procedures will be completed before the opening of the much-awaited Padma Bridge.

The bridge connects Louhajong, Munshiganj to Shariatpur and Madaripur, across the river Padma, linking the south-west of the country, to northern and eastern regions.

According to the proposal, a motor bike will have to pay Tk 100, private car Tk 750, luxurious car such as Prado and Nissan etc, Tk 1,200, micro bus Tk 1,300, mini bus Tk 1,400, medium bus Tk 2,000, and a large bus Tk 2,400, respectively.

Meanwhile, a small truck (15-ton) will be charged Tk 1,600, a 5- to 8-tonne truck Tk 2,100, more than 8-tonne truck Tk 2,800, and a three-axle truck or a covered van will have to pay Tk 5,500 for its one-way journey through the bridge. For these vehicles tolls are nearly 140 per cent higher than that of a ferry toll.

The Bridges Division has proposed to levy different rates on cargo containers and trailers and that a four-axle trailer will have to pay Tk 6,000 and a trailer having more than four axles, would pay 150 per cent more.

There is currently no arrangement for a trailer to board a ferry to get through the river.

The cost of construction of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been estimated at Tk 30,193 crore, after making several upward adjustments. The Bridges Division will have to pay the loan off in 35 years with one percent interest. The loan has to be repaid in 140 instalments, four instalments, every year.

Some 7,835 vehicles are expected to cross through the bridge every day.