Dhaka: Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has earned the highest toll of Taka 838.56 crore from Padma Bridge in 2024. This toll was collected from a total of 67,36,478 vehicles, as stated by the Executive Engineer of Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Abu Saad Niloy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, since the opening of the 6.15-km bridge for traffic on June 25, 2022, the BBA has earned a total of Taka 2,061.97 crore from 1,58,08,968 vehicles. The BBA has so far paid Taka 1,577.16 crore through 10 installments to the Finance Division for the repayment of the loan given by the government for the construction of the mega project.
The Bridges Division began repaying the loan on April 5, 2023, which was taken as credit for the Padma Bridge construction from the revenue. The division typically pays four installments per financial year to the government, with Taka 157.71 crore provided in each installment.
According to the BBA, the highest toll collection in a single day was Taka 4.80 crore on June 14, 2024, when a record number of 44,033 vehicles crossed the bridge. In light of the withdrawal of the World Bank and other multilateral financial institutions from financing, the government constructed the Padma Bridge with its own resources at a total cost of Taka 30,193 crore.
Out of the total cost, the government provided a grant of Taka 300 crore, while the remaining Taka 29,893 crore was given as credit at a one percent interest rate to the BBA. As per the agreement with the Finance Division on August 29, 2019, the BBA will repay the loan over 35 years in 140 installments. According to the payment schedule, a minimum of Taka 634 crore to a maximum of Taka 1,475 crore should be paid every fiscal year.