Padma, Jamuna bridges set new traffic and toll records

The country’s two major bridges, Padma Bridge and Jamuna Bridge, have set records in handling the heavy flow of homebound travelers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, both in vehicle crossings and toll collection. The bridges achieved their highest figures in a single day, according to a press release from the bridge authorities on Friday (March 20).

Over the three days from March 17 to 19, a total of 119,682 vehicles crossed Padma Bridge, marking a significant increase from 100,802 vehicles during the same period last year. Toll collection over these three days amounted to Tk 132,151,800, up from Tk 120,784,000 last year, setting new records in both vehicle crossings and revenue.

On Jamuna Bridge, a record 51,384 vehicles crossed in a single day on March 18, surpassing the previous high of 48,368 vehicles in 2025. Toll collection that day reached Tk 35,182,600, exceeding last year’s one-day record of Tk 34,627,850.

Officials noted that despite the higher traffic volume this year, there were no major accidents or prolonged traffic jams. Effective management and close monitoring ensured smooth road movement.

To facilitate uninterrupted Eid travel, the bridge authorities implemented several measures, including training and deploying skilled toll collectors, keeping all toll lanes operational, adding lanes for motorcycles, enabling non-stop Electronic Toll Collection (ETC), opening Mawa and Elenga bus lanes, monitoring traffic through surveillance cameras, forming high-level round-the-clock monitoring teams, implementing accident prevention measures, providing emergency assistance and health services, strengthening security at various points, rapid rescue operations with heavy recovery vehicles, and operating emergency toll lanes.

Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Bridges Division and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, said the overall government guidance and the coordinated efforts of all involved made this year’s Eid travel safer and more comfortable. He added that such initiatives will continue in the future to ensure modern and efficient road management.