Published: June 26, 2025, 02:27 PM
Image: Syed Mehedy Hasan
The Padma Bridge has completed three years of operation, collecting over Tk2,500 crore in tolls and handling nearly two crore vehicles, according to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA). Opened to traffic on 26 June 2022, the bridge has significantly enhanced road connectivity between Dhaka and 21 districts in the southern and southwestern regions of the country.
As of 25 June 2025, a total of 1,94,71,692 vehicles have crossed the bridge. Among them, 96,71,112 vehicles entered from the Mawa end and 98,00,580 from the Jajira end, indicating that 1,29,468 more vehicles crossed from the Jajira side. The toll revenue collected over the three years stands at Tk2,504.67 crore.
According to BBA Executive Engineer Abu Sayad, in the first year of operation, 56,94,899 vehicles used the bridge, generating Tk798.61 crore in tolls. In the second year, 68,01,374 vehicles contributed Tk850.44 crore, and in the third year, up to midnight on 25 June 2025, 69,95,229 vehicles generated Tk861.22 crore in tolls. He noted that traffic on the bridge has remained uninterrupted since its opening, marking a significant success in infrastructure management.
BBA Director (Administration) and Joint Secretary Altaf Hossain Sekh added that the bridge is not only benefiting people through easier transportation but also contributing substantially to national revenue. He mentioned ongoing efforts to introduce an automated toll collection system that will allow vehicles to pay while in motion, further streamlining the process.
A record-breaking toll collection of Tk5.43 crore was made on 5 June 2025, when 52,487 vehicles crossed the bridge in a single day. This marks the highest daily toll revenue and vehicle count to date. Previously, the highest number of vehicles in a single day was recorded on 26 June 2022, the first day of operation, with 51,316 vehicles. The previous highest toll amount was Tk4.89 crore, collected on 9 April 2024, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The Padma Bridge, spanning 6.15 kilometers, has become a transformative piece of infrastructure for Bangladesh, improving regional connectivity and boosting economic activity across the country.
SEO tags: Padma Bridge toll collection, Padma Bridge 3 years, Padma Bridge traffic volume, Bangladesh infrastructure milestone, Padma Bridge economic impact, BBA toll revenue
