Homebound Eid travellers are crossing the Padma Bridge and Jamuna Bridge smoothly this year, with no major accidents or significant traffic jams reported despite higher vehicle volumes than last year, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority said on Wednesday.
In the last 24 hours, 45,602 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge, generating Tk5.03 crore in tolls, while 56,239 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge, generating Tk3.82 crore in tolls, according to a press release.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam inspected the control room at BRTA on Wednesday morning to review live video footage of both bridges, while State Minister Md Rajib Ahsan visited the Padma Bridge Toll Plaza in person to ensure safe travel for homebound people.
In a statement, Bridge Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the government’s integrated management and well-planned preparations have paid off, said that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working tirelessly to make the country’s transportation system easy and modern, while the Minister and State Minister are monitoring round-the-clock to ensure a smooth and safe Eid journey for the public.
Authorities have implemented several measures to facilitate smooth crossing, including training and deployment of highly skilled toll collectors with round-the-clock toll lane operation, increased motorcycle lanes, introduction of non-stop ETC, opening of Mawa and Elenga bus bays, advanced traffic monitoring through surveillance cameras, deployment of security guards every 300 metres on the bridges, three wreckers including one heavy wrecker from the Karnaphuli Tunnel for rapid rescue, exemption of vehicles carrying sacrificial animals from weigh scale machines, fire service and medical teams on standby, and emergency toll lanes with drinking water facilities.
The Bridge Authority said the statistics reflect the capability and efficiency of the authority in managing the country’s road infrastructure. “Through this success, the Eid journey of homebound people has become more comfortable and disciplined,” the press release added, extending greetings to the nation ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
