A fresh dispute over toll collection on Chattogram’s Tailardwip Bridge over the River Sangu has intensified, with local residents and transport operators demanding an immediate halt to the process following a High Court order to maintain the status quo.
They said the bridge, a key transport link over the Sangu River for southern Chattogram, serves thousands of commuters and vehicles daily, and resuming toll collection would raise travel costs for passengers and businesses.
The demand was raised at a press conference at the S Rahman Hall of Chattogram Press Club on Sunday by Banshkhali social worker and July fighter Muhammad Nizam Uddin, who filed the writ petition challenging the legality of the toll collection initiative.
According to the petitioner, a High Court bench of Justice JBM Hasan and Justice Md Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, after the preliminary hearing on 15 September, issued a rule questioning the legality of the toll collection notice.
The court also directed authorities to maintain the status quo on accepting or opening new tenders, approving tenders, appointing leaseholders and signing lease agreements under the notice.
It also ordered that no toll collection activity from bridge users should proceed in any manner until further orders.
The Roads and Highways Department’s Chattogram South Road Division had recently invited tenders to collect tolls from Taylardip Bridge for four years, from the 2026-27 to 2029-30 fiscal years.
At the press conference, Nizam Uddin said the bridge is a lifeline for people from Chattogram, Patiya, Anwara, Banshkhali and other areas of southern Chattogram.
He added that residents of Pekua, Maheshkhali, Chakaria and Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, along with goods transport operators, also depend heavily on the bridge.
“The toll initiative has created dissatisfaction among ordinary people, transport owners and workers. Considering public interest, I moved the High Court,” he said.
Nizam Uddin said the authorities should immediately stop all toll-related activities in line with the court’s order.
“The certified copy of the order is being collected and will be submitted to the concerned offices after receiving it,” he added.
Speakers at the press conference said the bridge plays a crucial role in daily travel and goods movement, warning that fresh tolls would directly affect commuters and the transport sector.
They urged the Roads and Highways Department and other relevant authorities to comply with the High Court directive and suspend all toll collection activities.
