Local residents and transport sector stakeholders in Chattogram have demanded the immediate implementation of a High Court directive staying toll collection operations at Toilar Dwip Bridge over the Sangu River.
They stressed that a large number of people and vehicles use this key bridge in South Chattogram daily, and initiating new toll collection would significantly increase travel expenses for commuters.
The demand was made at a press conference held on Sunday afternoon at S Rahman Hall of the Chattogram Press Club by Muhammad Nizam Uddin, a social activist and July warrior from Banshkhali, who filed a writ petition challenging the validity of the toll collection move.
According to information provided by the petitioner, a High Court bench comprising Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan issued a rule on Tuesday following a preliminary hearing, questioning the validity of the toll collection notice.
The court directed the maintenance of a status quo on receiving or opening new tenders, tender approvals, leaseholder appointments, and executing lease contracts under the notice. The bench also ordered a status quo regarding the collection of tolls from bridge users by any means.
The Office of the executive engineer of Chattogram South Road Division had recently invited tenders for collecting tolls at Toilar Dwip Bridge. The notice, issued on 6 September, initiated steps to levy tolls for a four-year period spanning the 2026–27 to 2029–30 fiscal years.
Speaking at the briefing, Nizam Uddin highlighted that Toilar Dwip Bridge serves as a vital transport link for people regularly travelling between Chattogram, Patiya, Anwara, Banshkhali, and other areas of South Chattogram.
He added that the bridge is equally essential for commuters and freight transport connecting Pekua, Maheshkhali, Chakaria, and Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar. He noted that the new toll attempt sparked widespread resentment among general citizens, transport owners, and workers, leading him to file the writ petition in the public interest.
Nizam Uddin said that since the court ordered a status quo, the concerned authorities must now halt all toll collection activities in accordance with the High Court directive.
He informed that the process of obtaining a certified copy of the court order is underway, which will be submitted to the relevant office upon receipt.
Speakers at the conference remarked that Toilar Dwip Bridge is a key piece of infrastructure for daily travel and goods transport in South Chattogram, warning that new tolls would directly affect both passengers and the transport sector.
They urged the Roads and Highways Department and other relevant authorities to follow the High Court directive and halt all toll-related activities, while appealing to residents of South Chattogram to remain calm and aware.
The press conference was attended by Chhatra Dal leader Mahfuzur Rahman, Engineer Golam Sarwar, alongside transport owners and organisation leaders Waji Ullah, Mahmudul Islam, Anwar Hossain, Nurul Islam Company, Abdullah Al Imran, and Ehsan Ullah Titu, among others.
