Padma Bridge generates Tk 3,000cr revenue in 43 months
The Padma Bridge has generated more than Tk 3,000 crore in toll revenue within 43 months of its inauguration, marking a major milestone for the country’s largest infrastructure project.
According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), the revenue was collected from June 25, 2022, when the bridge was opened to traffic, up to Tuesday. Built at a total cost of Tk 30,770 crore, the bridge continues to see steady growth in both traffic volume and toll earnings.
All categories of vehicles, including motorcycles, private cars, buses and trucks, are required to pay tolls to cross the bridge. Currently, an average of around 22,000 vehicles use the bridge daily, generating approximately Tk 2.5 crore in toll revenue each day. In December alone, toll collection stood at about Tk 82 crore.
The 6.15-kilometre Padma Bridge connects Munshiganj and Shariatpur, providing direct road connectivity between the capital and 21 districts in the southern and southwestern regions of the country. Officials say traffic flow and revenue have increased consistently since the bridge opened.
The Bridge Authority said the project has significantly reduced travel time, boosted trade and logistics, and created employment opportunities, contributing positively to GDP growth. In particular, the bridge has transformed the transportation of agricultural produce, fisheries and livestock, as well as industrial goods.
An Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system is in operation at both Mawa and Jajira toll plazas. Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards, the system allows vehicles to pay tolls automatically without stopping, reducing congestion and saving time.
In a notification issued on Tuesday, January 20, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority described the Tk 3,000 crore toll collection as a major achievement and expressed gratitude to vehicle owners, drivers, workers, law enforcement personnel, toll operators and all agencies involved in the operation and maintenance of the bridge.
Loan repayment and costs
The Padma Bridge project was implemented with government funding. The Ministry of Finance provided the construction cost as a loan to the Bridge Authority, which is to be repaid over 35 years at an interest rate of 1 per cent. The repayment will be made in 140 quarterly instalments, covering both principal and interest.
Sources at the Bridge Department said 15 per cent of toll revenue is deposited in the government treasury as VAT. A portion of the remaining revenue is spent on toll collection and operations. Korea Expressway has been appointed as the toll operator for five years at a cost of Tk 693 crore. Additional funds are allocated for routine maintenance and repairs of the bridge.
The remaining toll revenue is being used to repay the loan to the Ministry of Finance.
The Bridge Authority said the milestone was achieved under the guidance of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and the continuous supervision of Bridges Division Secretary and BBA Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf, alongside the modernisation of the digital toll system and public cooperation.