People have started driving motorcycles on the Padma Bridge from this morning.
Motorcycles started plying in the service lane of the bridge from 6:00am. Although a single toll counter was allocated for motorcycles, toll is now collected through the first two lanes due to the pressure of bikes since morning.
Joint Secretary and Planning and Development Director of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) Md Viqaruddoula Chowdhury said, "Motorcycles are crossing the Padma Bridge from today as per the directives of the Prime Minister. Six conditions have been given so that people can go to their destination safely and unhindered. The bridge authority issued a notification on April 18 with these conditions. So far, motorcyclists are crossing according to the rules."
After almost nine and a half months, the motorcyclists are excited to be allowed to cross the bridge. Before today, motorcyclists had the opportunity to cross the bridge on just one day.
Sumon, who was going to Barishal, said, "We are happy to cross the Padma Bridge on a motorcycle. Thank you so much to the government for that."
Khulna-bound Ashraf said, "I came to the toll plaza of Padma Bridge in just 20 minutes from Dhaka. But I had to wait in line for another 20 minutes. Toll booths for motorcycles need to be increased."
Bikers have to follow the speed limit of 60km per hour and use a specific lane and toll booth while riding on the 6.15-km bridge. They won't be allowed to overtake or change lanes, BBA circular said. Bikers and pillion passengers have to use all safety gear, including helmets.
They won't be able to stop on the bridge and take photos and a maximum of two people would be permitted on a bike, it added.
BBA banned motorcycles on the Padma Bridge on June 27 last year, a day after the country's longest bridge was opened.
