Padma Bridge opens to traffic

The Padma Bridge was opened for vehicular movement from 6 am on Sunday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the plaque of the 6.15 kilometre Padma Bridge at 12 noon on Saturday at Mawa end in Munsiganj at a colourful ceremony where thousands of distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, were present.

The Premier paid toll as the first traveller and enjoyed an aerial show staged by the Bangladesh Air Force turning the skyline above the Padma Bridge into a virtual rainbow at the midpoint of the bridge, reports BSS.

Later, the enthusiastic people gathered at the bridge site were allowed to walk along the bridge of their long-cherished dream for the first as well as the last time, since the structure is prohibited for the walking people beyond the viaduct point due to security reasons.

The state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is supposed to launch buses on 23 routes, including two old ones, in the southwest via the Padma Bridge.

Besides, different private transport companies are also set to launch AC and non-AC buses on the routes.