Dhaka, Dec 28 (V7N) - Since its inauguration on June 25, 2022, the Padma Bridge has facilitated the passage of more than 20 million vehicles over the past three and a half years. According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), total toll revenue, including collections through the Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS), has reached Tk 2,936 crore 15 lakh 78 thousand.

Abu Sayad Niloy, Executive Engineer at the Padma Bridge site office, confirmed on Saturday that the bridge continues to generate increasing toll revenue, with traffic flowing smoothly even during the winter season. The ETCS was introduced on September 15 of the current year, further enhancing efficiency in toll collection.

From the day after its opening, June 26, 2022, until December 25, 2025, a total of 20,292,267 vehicles have crossed the bridge via both Mawa and Jajira terminals. During the last six months alone, 3,427,598 vehicles used the bridge, generating Tk 425 crore 73 lakh 23 thousand 900 in tolls.

Breaking down annual traffic and revenue:

June 25, 2022 – June 24, 2023: 5,694,899 vehicles crossed; tolls collected Tk 798 crore 60 lakh 93 thousand 700.

June 25, 2023 – June 24, 2024: 6,801,374 vehicles; toll revenue Tk 850 crore 43 lakh 56 thousand 350.

June 25, 2024 – June 24, 2025: 6,977,334 vehicles; toll revenue Tk 858 crore 87 lakh 2 thousand 550.

Cumulatively, from June 26, 2022, to June 24, 2025, a total of 19,473,607 vehicles have crossed the bridge, generating Tk 2,507 crore 91 lakh 52 thousand 600 in toll revenue from both terminals.

The bridge also set record daily traffic during Eid-ul-Azha in June 2025, with 52,487 vehicles crossing in 24 hours on June 5, earning Tk 5 crore 43 lakh 28 thousand in toll revenue, marking the highest single-day collection in the bridge’s history.

The 6.15-kilometer-long Padma Bridge, one of Bangladesh’s largest infrastructure projects, had a final construction cost of Tk 30,770 crore, slightly below the initially estimated Tk 32,605 crore, saving approximately Tk 1,825 crore. Of this, Tk 300 crore was provided as grants, while the remaining Tk 29,893 crore 38 lakh was financed through loans from the Ministry of Finance. The loan is to be repaid over 35 years with annual installments, starting from fiscal year 2022-23 and continuing until 2056-57, including 1% interest.

The Padma Bridge continues to play a crucial role in connecting southern Bangladesh, boosting traffic, and generating substantial revenue while maintaining operational efficiency.

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