The country waited with bated breath for the opening of the Padma Bridge which connects 21 districts of the southern region to Dhaka and the rest of the country. However, on the very first day the bridge was opened to the public, one event after another unfolded prompting authorities to take a firm stance on the bridge’s security. One of the biggest incidents reported was the death of two motorcyclists who died on Sunday which led the government to ban motorcycles on the bridge until further notice.
Hundreds of motorcyclists blocked the tolls plaza of Padma Bridge on Monday, June 27, 2022According to Bangladesh Bridge Authority Chief Engineer Quazi Mohammad Ferdous, motorcycles will not be allowed on the bridge until they can start frequent patrol and deploy sufficient to manage traffic and ensure discipline on the bridge.
“Suspension of motorbikes will be withdrawn soon once patrolling will start in full swing across the bridge,” he said.
“We will also deploy a mobile team to manage the discipline on the bridge that none can break the rules on the bridge,” he added.
Also Read- Motorcyclists block Padma Bridge toll plaza
The suspension of motorbikes on the mega bridge came into effect on Monday. Despite the notice issued, motorbikes tried to get on the bridge but were turned away.
Failing to take the ferry as well as the bridge, bikers resorted to using pick up vans to cross the Padma Bridge with their vehicles.
Later in the day around 1:50pm hundreds of motorcyclists blocked the tolls plaza of Padma Bridge at the Zajira point, demanding that they be allowed to cross.
“We can't take our motorcycle to Dhaka without a pickup van. That is why we have no choice but to close the road,” one of the agitators told Dhaka Tribune.
People trying to get on the Padma Bridge on motorbikes were turned away from the toll plaza on Monday, June 27, 2022However, later in the day, the authorities also banned pickup vans carrying motorcycles from going through the bridge.
“As we identified, people were unloading their bikes from a pickup on the bridge, we became more strict to bring discipline,” said Ferdous.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority Supervising Engineer Tofazzal Hossain said that the new ban was imposed as many were getting down from the pickup vans after the check-post and using their bikes to cross the rest of the bridge.
Also Read- Now pickups carrying motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge
He said that since motorcycles have been banned, allowing this is also against the rules.
However, any commercial consignment of motorcycles will be allowed to pass through, he said.
Motorbikes were not the only problem faced by Padma Bridge authorities on the first day. TikTok videos of people taking off the screw went viral on social media and people got down from their cars to take a photograph on the bridge of dreams.
People were forced to carry their motorcycles on pickup vans on Monday, June 27, 2022“It is very unfortunate that a youth was unscrewing nuts of Padma Bridge in TikTok video,” lamented the BBA chief engineer.
Meanwhile, a mobile was court was seen fining people on Monday for getting off their vehicles midway and taking photos on the bridge.
Also Read- Motorcycles cross Padma Bridge on pickup trucks
“Many motor bikers rush there only to take photos or record videos. We discouraged it because they cause accidents,” he added.
A total of 20,000 vehicles crossed the bridge in the first 10 hours of opening the bridge for traffic movement on Sunday.
According to the BBA officials, three of each five vehicles that crossed the bridge during the time were motorcycles.
