Hundreds of thousands of people were waiting to set foot on the Padma Bridge at the Mawa point following its inauguration on Saturday.
Eager crowd waits to cross Padma Bridge Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneHowever, law enforcement officials deployed there said no one would be allowed to use the bridge until the prime minister left the area after the scheduled programs, and that it was unlikely that the public would be allowed to cross it on foot.
Eager crowd waits to cross Padma Bridge Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneMoreover, the bridge would be opened to traffic on Sunday.
The area was teeming with people from across the country.
Eager crowd waits to cross Padma Bridge Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribunePeople of all ages and from all walks of life started arriving at the entrance point of the Padma Bridge in the morning to witness the historic inauguration of the bridge.
People of all ages and from all walks of life started arriving at the entrance point of the Padma Bridge in the morning to witness the historic inauguration of the bridge.
Witnessing history
A team of 45 people, comprising students and teachers from various educational institutions, came from Tangail to witness history. They were holding posters, banners and festoons to celebrate the event.
Abdul Hakim Miah, a teacher at Kalihati High School, said: “We started our journey at midnight on Friday to celebrate the Padma bridge inauguration. We have been waiting here since 8am this morning. No matter what, we will not return without walking on the bridge at least once.”
Shahnaj Akter, who teaches at Hazi Abul Hasan BM College of Tangail, said: “We have come here to witness the grand opening of the Padma Bridge. Our students are waiting to see our pictures and selfies on the bridge.”
People also went to the spot with their families and friends.
Md Rinku, a resident of Old Dhaka, went to Munshiganj with his wife and children on his motorcycle.