The joy of witnessing the Padma Bridge for the first time is different, said a jubilant Abul Hasan Mollah, 60.
He was part of a group from Gopalganj who were elated after witnessing the Padma Bridge for the first time.
Abul Hasan said: "I am extremely proud to cross the Padma bridge to witness history in my own eyes. We voted for Sheikh Hasina to become the prime minister and the bridge has been built under her own supervision. We are proud of her.”
With Padma Bridge opening to traffic on Sunday morning, many people crossed the much-anticipated bridge for the first time.
The decoration of the Padma Bridge captivated their minds and they expressed special gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
A group of Gopalganj residents travelling to witness Padma Bridge on Sunday, June 26, 2022 Dhaka TribuneMalek Sardar, 58, of Patgati village, said: “It would have taken two days to reach Tungipara from Dhaka by launch in 1984. Sheikh Hasina formed the government in 1996 and established a road network in Dhaka with the backward Tungipara. Then she planned to build the Padma bridge. I crossed the bridge on the first day to go home. This joy is different.”
Riaz Ahmed, supervisor of Dola Paribahan, said: "We left Dhaka's Gulistan at 5am. On the first day, there were a lot of people who came to see the Padma Bridge. The number of passengers was much higher on Sunday than other days but as soon as they saw the Padma bridge, they forgot that all the trouble.”
Emu Sheikh, driver of Tungipara Express, said: "We had to wait for two and a half hours at the toll plaza of Padma Bridge. Still, our passengers were not bothered. When the bus got on the Padma bridge the passengers became overwhelmed with joy.”
Amir Ali, a business from Gopalganj city, said: “Padma Bridge is our self-identity. There was a traffic jam in the bridge area on Sunday. I have traveled in the car for only two hours. And I sat in the toll area of Padma bridge for two and a half hours, because of which it took a little longer. If there was no traffic jam in the bridge area, I could have reached it quickly. Even then, now we will take the goods directly to Dhaka through this bridge. I will benefit by selling products at higher prices.”
Mahabub Ali Khan, general secretary of Gopalganj district Awami League, said: “Our biggest achievement on the golden jubilee of victory is the Padma Bridge. The bridge will be used for the expansion of industries, factories and trade in Gopalganj. People's socio-economic status will change as the road communication will improve.”
