Padma Bridge toll hits Tk 3,429cr

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has collected Tk 3,429.45 crore in toll revenue from the Padma Bridge since its opening to traffic in June 2022, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

A total of 2,68,62,808 vehicles have crossed the bridge up to June 29 this year, generating the total revenue, the BBA said.

During the same period, the authority has repaid Tk 2,516.68 crore to the government in 16 instalments against the loan taken for the construction of the bridge. No repayment instalments are currently overdue, the statement added.

The Padma Bridge, built at a cost of Tk 30,770.14 crore with government funding, was inaugurated on June 25, 2022 and opened to traffic the following day.

Under an agreement with the Finance Division, the BBA is required to repay Tk 36,000 crore, including 1 per cent interest, over 35 years through 140 quarterly instalments.

The authority has also deposited Tk 436.07 crore in Value Added Tax (VAT) collected from toll revenue into the state treasury so far.