As the government permitted motorcycles on the Padma Bridge ahead of the Eid holidays, motorcycle movement has started on six conditions from 6am on Thursday.
Around 5:30am, the drivers who left Dhaka started waiting at the toll plaza at the Mawa end of Padma Bridge. Many of them had left Dhaka at night while others after Seheri.
At that time, a police official said that no motorcycle will be allowed to get on the Padma Bridge before 6am as announced by the government. For this reason, the motorcycles which were approaching Padma Bridge Plaza before 6am were being diverted by road diversion from in front of Padma Bridge North police station and positioned in separate lanes.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThere is a prescribed toll for motorcycles on the Padma Bridge. Apart from this, road diversion has been provided for motorcycles on the bridge.
Padma North police station duty officer Sub-Inspector (SI) Anisur Rahman said that a police team is working to bring the motorcycles to the Padma Bridge in an orderly manner.
Padma Bridge was opened for vehicular traffic the day after its inauguration on 25 June 2022. A large number of motorcycles crossed the bridge on the first day. Allegations of crossing the bridge by bike in exchange of money were also raised.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneMeanwhile, two people were killed in a motorcycle accident that night. Discussion and criticism arose when a video of the accident spread on social media.
The next day, the government banned the movement of motorcycles through the bridge.
On Tuesday, the government had given conditional permission to motorcyclists to cross the Padma Bridge ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, warning that if the conditions were not met, the movement of motorcycles on the bridge will be stopped again.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneThis was informed in a press release signed by Sheikh Walid Faiz, senior information officer of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges.
It says: “Motorcycle riders can ply the Padma Bridge by paying the prescribed toll and must use the designated toll booth. They will be able to cross the Padma Bridge through the left-side service lane. Under no circumstances can the designated lane be changed. No overtaking is allowed. The maximum speed has been set at 60kmph.”
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka TribuneBoth driver and rider are required to wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet.
Standing or taking photos on the bridge is not permitted under any circumstances.
One motorbike can accommodate a maximum of two riders, including the driver.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has specially requested everyone to use the Padma Bridge by following these conditions. The permission will be revoked, if the rules are not followed.
Mehedi Hasan/Dhaka Tribune