The Padma Multipurpose Bridge, one of the mega structures in Bangladesh, has completed one year after its inauguration.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the plaque of the 6.15 kilometre Padma Bridge at Mawa end in Munsiganj at a colourful ceremony on June 25 in 2022.
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.
The Padma Bridge became visible with the installation of the first span on 37th and 38th number pillars on September 30, 2017.
Later, all 41 spans were installed on 42 pillars one after another. The entire structure of the multi-purpose 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge became visible with installation of its last 41st span on December 10, 2020.
Md Amirul Haider Chowdhury, Additional Director of the Padma Bridge Site Office, said as many as 56,75,205 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge and paid Tk 7,982,396,650 as toll in the first year.
However, as Bangladesh Army and SSF pay the total toll for their transport crossings together every month, their tolls will be available at the end of the month. According to the related sources, the toll amount will increase slightly.
It is mentionable that, the construction of the main bridge was carried out by China Major Bridge Engineering Company (MBEC), a Chinese contractor Company, and the river treatment was done by Sino Hydro Corporation of China.
The self-financed bridge project was implemented at the total cost of Taka 30,1933.7 crore.