United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh recorded its highest-ever toll collection and vehicle movement on the Padma and Jamuna bridges during this year’s Eid travel rush, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry said on Friday. According to the ministry, a record number of vehicles crossed the bridges, resulting in the highest-ever toll collection, thanks to coordinated management and well-planned measures to ensure smooth and safe journeys for homebound passengers during Eid-ul-Fitr. Between March 17 and 19, a total of 119,682 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge in three days, significantly higher than 100,802 recorded during the same period in 2025. The bridge generated Tk 13.21 crore in tolls during these three days, compared to Tk 12.00 crore collected in 2025. Besides, the Jamuna Bridge recorded its highest-ever single-day traffic on March 18, with 51,384 vehicles crossing the bridge, surpassing the previous record of 48,368 in 2025. On the same day, toll collection on the Jamuna Bridge reached a record Tk 3.51 crore, exceeding Tk 3.46 crore collected during the previous year. Despite higher traffic pressure compared to 2025, the ministry claimed that there were no major accidents or severe congestion during the Eid period. The ministry attributed the success to several effective measures, including training and deployment of skilled toll collectors, operation of all toll lanes round-the-clock, expansion of motorcycle lanes, introduction of non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC), reopening of the Mawa bus bay, and enhanced traffic monitoring through surveillance cameras. Besides, steps such as opening the Elenga bus bay, deploying security guards at every 500 metres on the bridges, ensuring emergency medical support, and carrying out quick rescue operations using three wreckers including a heavy-duty rescue vehicle brought from the Karnaphuli tunnel helped maintain smooth traffic flow. Emergency toll lanes and distribution of iftar items to passengers were also part of the comprehensive management plan, the ministry added. END/UNB/MM/FH

Passenger train services on Dhaka-Narail-Khulna and Dhaka-Narail-Benapole routes are currently operating with only one train, forcing travellers to rely on limited schedules and often wait long hours for the next journey. Local people have demanded an increase in train services to ease the inconvenience. Passengers said the district was connected to the railway network for the first time under the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project. Train services on the route began on December 24, 2024. At present, a single train operates from Dhaka to Khulna and Benapole under two different names ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ and ‘Jahanabad’. Jahanabad Express departs Khulna at 6:00am and reaches Narail at around 7:15am. The same train later runs as ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ from Benapole, leaving at 3:00pm and arriving in Narail at 4:45pm. From Narail, it takes about two and a half hours to reach Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka. However, passengers cannot travel to the capital at night and must wait until the next morning for the next available service. Rezaul Karim, a passenger of the route, said the railway is the most comfortable way to travel between Narail and Dhaka in a short time. “Except for the morning and afternoon schedules there is no other train available. So we demand that the number of trains be increased quickly,” he said. Another passenger, A Al-Marjan, said the railway line was built at a cost of several thousand crore taka. “While the rail link has improved communication we are not getting the full benefit because only one train is operating under two different names. We hope the new government will take steps to address this issue,” he said. Amena Begum said the train service has brought significant convenience. “Since the train started running, it has become easier to travel. I can go to Dhaka in the morning for office work and return home later. If more trains are added, commuting will become even easier,” she said. Narail Railway Station Master Ujjal Biswas said train operations on the route officially began on December 24, 2024. He said the service has already contributed to the socio-economic development of the region and expressed hope that more trains would be added in the future. Narail Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam said on Wednesday that a letter has been sent to the railway secretary requesting an increase in train services on the Dhaka-Narail-Khulna route. Member of Parliament for Narail-2 constituency, Advocate Ataur Rahman Bacchu, said the launch of the train fulfilled a long-standing demand of Narail residents. “However, rail services are still not meeting the demand. Necessary steps are being taken to increase the number of trains,” he said. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project connected the southern and south-western regions of Bangladesh to the national railway network. The project was completed in 2024 at a cost of about Tk 39,246 crore. Of the total cost, the Bangladesh government financed Tk 18,210 crore, while China provided the remaining Tk 21,036 crore.

Costly mega projects taken during the Awami League government, including the Padma Bridge, Padma Rail Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Payra Port, have had adverse impacts on the market, contributing to economic instability, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin reiterated on Sunday. “The projected toll collection from the Padma Rail Bridge was Tk 1,400 crore, but only Tk 26 crore has been realised so far. It was claimed that the Padma Bridge would raise GDP by 2 percent; instead, GDP has declined. The draft of Payra Port is only four metres, it is unclear whether it is a port or merely a jetty. The same logic applies to the Karnaphuli Tunnel,” he told a press conference at his ministry. The adviser said thousands of crores of taka were spent over the last one and a half decades on unnecessary and poorly planned projects that failed to generate sustainable income for the country. As a result, the debt burden increased and the currency depreciated. Bangladesh, Japan finalises draft of EPA, signing next month: Commerce Adviser “Analyse it yourselves — what did the country actually gain in return for the Padma Bridge? If this money had been invested in irrigation and fertiliser, it would have been far more meaningful, and Bangladesh’s debt repayment capacity would have improved further,” he said. Sk Bashir Uddin said foreign debt stood at around Tk 2 lakh crore when the Awami League came to power in 2008, which rose to Tk 23 lakh crore by 2025. He also noted that the currency depreciated by 46 percent over the past one and a half decades. “There has been an organised spree of looting in the country. The banking sector has been completely ruined, forcing Bangladesh to seek loans from the International Monetary Fund. This loan was not sought by the interim government; it was taken by the Awami League government.” The adviser said the interim government was firmly committed to halting unnecessary project spending and has already scrapped hundreds of such projects involving thousands of crores of taka. “Projects where around 80 percent of funds have already been spent are being continued out of compulsion, while those with only 5–10 percent expenditure have been cancelled,” he said. Referring to the cost escalation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bashir Uddin said project costs increased by Tk 26,000 crore mainly due to currency depreciation. Extra flight fees to be waived for 3 days: Commerce Adviser Asked about a Tk 786 crore project to construct three new buildings for future ministers, the adviser said he was completely unaware of the matter. “I am not informed at all. I know nothing about this project, so I cannot comment on it.” The commerce adviser also stressed the need for aligning project spending strictly with realistic income sources.

Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Saturday inaugurated murals titled ‘July Heroism’ and ‘July Sacrifice’ at the Mawa end of the Padma Bridge, commemorating the martyrs of the July student uprising. Speaking to journalists after the event, the adviser said those who opposed the July movement and its graffiti ‘will never return’. Even under a new government, there is ‘no reason’ to remove the murals. Jahangir Alam described the July movement as more than a protest, calling it a ‘struggle for truth and justice against injustice.’ Rab now praised for role in law and order: Home adviser He said the artworks would inspire young people to remain devoted to truth, justice, freedom, and democracy, and thanked the artists for creating a ‘priceless witness to history’. Railways Secretary Fahmidul Islam, Bridges Division Secretary Momtaz Begum, DIG of Dhaka Range Rezaul Karim Mallik, Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner Fatematul Jannat, Shariatpur DC Tahsina Begum, Police Superintendent Muhammad Shamsul Alam Sarkar, Police Superintendent Md Nazrul Islam, PPM, and other officials attended the ceremony.

Vehicles will no longer need to stop to pay tolls while crossing the Padma Bridge, as the authorities are set to introduce a non-stop electronic toll collection (ETC) system. The live piloting of the ETC service is scheduled to begin at 2pm today, enabling vehicles to automatically pay tolls through designated lanes without halting. According to the Bridge Authority, the initiative is being launched under the special instruction of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. To use the ETC facility, motorists must first register their vehicles and recharge their accounts via the ‘d-Toll’ option in Trust Bank Limited’s TAP app. Read: Padma Bridge marks 3yrs of operation, over Tk 2,500 crore toll collected Afterwards, they need to complete an RFID tag check and registration at the Padma Bridge RFID booth during their first visit. Once the process is complete, vehicles will be able to pass through ETC lanes at a minimum speed of 30 km per hour, with the toll automatically deducted from the registered account. The Bridge Authority added that other financial apps will be integrated with the system in the future. The a2i programme of the ICT Division is working to link TAP and additional apps with the service.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah on Tuesday said that despite having substantial evidence of irregularities, the much-discussed Padma Multipurpose Bridge graft case was prematurely closed, and the accused were exempted from trial. He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the ACC headquarters in Dhaka’s Segunbagicha this afternoon. “The case's initial investigation report was flawed and incomplete. We have decided to revive it with a comprehensive and evidence-based submission,” said the ACC chief. Referring to irregularities in the procurement process of consultants for the Padma Bridge project, Moinuddin Abdullah noted that although there were clear grounds for legal action, the previous commission submitted an FRT (Final Report True), effectively ending the case. “When the current commission took over in December, we reassessed the matter and felt that the case was shelved forcefully. It needs to be revived, and we've already begun a fresh investigation,” he added. ACC launches inquiry into graft allegations against 5 more NBR officials Citing specific violations of public procurement rules, he said the evaluation committee for the project was changed several times with ill intent. “Such changes indicate malafide intentions. Items that were supposed to be reusable were shown to be procured multiple times, which is financially unjustifiable,” he noted. The ACC chief pointed out several breaches of the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and Public Procurement Rules (PPR), saying CVs of consultants were not properly evaluated and committee meetings required by law were either skipped or inadequately conducted. “Based on these factors, we believe the earlier report was fundamentally defective, whether due to pressure or negligence. This time, our investigating officer will submit a complete and independent report, and the case will be reopened,” he affirmed. In 2012, the World Bank suspended its USD 1.2 billion loan commitment for the Padma Bridge project, citing concerns over corruption. On December 17 of that year, the ACC filed a case with Banani Police Station against seven individuals. The prime accused was then Bridges Division Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, who was arrested and suspended from his position. He was later released on bail and reinstated.  

A record toll collection of Tk 5.43 crore was made on Padma Bridge in a single day on Thursday, with a total of 52,487 vehicles crossing the bridge in 24 hours—marking the highest number of vehicles in a day since the bridge opened. Earlier, the highest daily traffic on the bridge was recorded on its inauguration day, June 26, 2022, when 51,316 vehicles crossed, officials said. The previous highest toll collection was Tk 4.89 crore on April 9, 2024. This new record was set on the first day of the 10-day long Eid-ul-Azha holiday. Monsoon Nightmare: Erosion threatens Padma Bridge Project site Besides, the authorities concerned collected tolls amounting to over Tk 4.09 crore from 37,465 vehicles. The Padma Bridge will mark its third anniversary on June 25. So far, a total of over Tk 2,452.82 crore in tolls has been collected, with 1,89,64,218 vehicles having crossed the bridge since its inauguration. Meanwhile, 16,502 vehicles entered the bridge from the Jajira side, contributing Tk 2.26 crore in tolls on Thursday. The remaining 35,985 vehicles entered via the Mawa end, from which Tk 3.16 crore in tolls were collected. Joint Secretary and Director (Administration) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Altaf Hossain Sheikh, who is currently overseeing operations of Padma Bridge, said the bridge is playing a vital role in ensuring smooth travel for holidaymakers heading home for Eid.  

For the families living along the vulnerable left bank of the Padma River, downstream of the Padma Bridge, the sound of rushing water is no longer poetic—it is a warning. With monsoon clouds gathering on the horizon, these riverside communities are once again bracing for nature’s fury, all while the embankment that promises to protect them remains incomplete. According to Engr Enamul Haque, Sub-divisional Engineer of the Munshiganj Water Development Board, only 47.67% of the work has been completed so far. Despite a multi-crore riverbank protection project launched nearly four years ago, thousands remain anxious and exposed. The project, which began in October 2021, was meant to bring long-awaited relief to erosion-prone stretches from Shimulia in Louhajang up to Dighirpar in Tongibari upazila.  But as the seasons have changed, little has changed for the people on the ground. “I lost my land and my house to the river over 20 years ago,” said Kazi Babul of Gaodia village.  “Now I live just 200 metres from the river. Every time it rains heavily, we stay awake at night. If only the embankment work was done—we might finally get a peaceful night’s sleep," he said.  The project, overseen by the Munshiganj Water Development Board, covers a total of 16.87 kilometres of riverbank.  Padma River erosion threatens homes and agri land in Faridpur Of this, 9.10 km is designated for permanent embankment work, and 4.62 km for precautionary protection, which involves placing geo-bags filled with sand in erosion-prone zones. Initially slated for completion by October 2023, the project has seen both its scope and cost expand significantly. The original budget was set at Tk 446 crore for a 9.1-kilometre stretch. As the project's length increased to 13.72 kilometres, the allocation rose to Tk 470 crore.  It was revised again in December last year, raising the budget to Tk 527 crore and the project length to 16.87 kilometres. But, the deadline has now been extended to September 2026. Yet progress remains painfully slow. Engr Enamul Haque said the project is being implemented through 26 separate packages. “The total length now stands at 16.87 km,” he said, noting this includes 1.3 km of pre-existing embankment. But, 1.85 km of vulnerable riverbank lies completely outside the project’s coverage, leaving residents in those pockets especially worried. Golam Mostafa, a resident near the mouth of the Konkoshar Canal, lives in one such area. “About 500 metres west of my house falls outside the embankment zone. Last year, waves caused serious damage during the monsoon. If we had permanent protection here, we would be able to live without this constant fear.” Mostafa noted that over the last 25 years, the Padma has swallowed nearly 40 villages in Louhajang and Tongibari. Around 50,000 families have lost their ancestral homes, farmland, and stability—becoming climate migrants within their own country. From a distance, the Padma flows with majestic calm. But for those living along its left bank, it carries memories of broken homes and washed-away futures.  Padma river embankment risks catastrophic collapse They’ve placed their hopes in the embankment project—a man-made barrier to halt a natural force. But until the work is finished, peace remains as elusive as dry ground during the monsoon. Engineer Haque assures that action will be taken if erosion appears, whether along permanent or temporary stretches. “We are monitoring closely. If any section shows signs of damage, we will respond immediately,” he said. Time and tide wait for no one. But for many like Babul and Golam Mostafa along its banks, they can only wait—and hope—that help arrives before the next storm does. With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan

A sense of dread grips the banks of the Naodoba area in Jajira, Shariatpur, as the impending monsoon threatens to undo a decade’s worth of protective efforts around Bangladesh’s most iconic infrastructure project. Fresh erosion has struck the Padma Bridge project site with alarming force, leaving the vital protective embankment at Naodoba in Jajira teetering dangerously on the brink. Officials and residents alike warn that unless urgent measures are taken before the monsoon arrives, the consequences could be catastrophic – not only for the embankment, but for entire communities living in its shadow. “The situation is critical,” admitted Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) Executive Engineer (Shariatpur WD Board) Tareq Hasan.“Nearly one kilometre of the riverbed has deepened significantly, destabilising the embankment. If we cannot reinforce it in time, Service Area-2, the army camp, Padma Bridge South Police Station, a primary school, Mongol Majhi and Sattar Madbor markets, roads and hundreds of families could all be at risk.” Constructed nearly a decade ago by the Bridges Division at a staggering cost of Tk 110 crore, the nearly two-kilometre-long embankment was meant to safeguard the Padma Bridge project site, he mentioned.  ACC to reinvestigate Padma Bridge corruption case against Sheikh Hasina Yet now, the ever-shifting Padma River has once again risen to challenge that. A visit to the area revealed that at least five to six different points along the embankment have seen sandy soil crumble and collapse into the Padma’s restless waters, with rows of geo-bags intended to protect the embankment lying dislodged and scattered, washed away by the mighty current. A joint survey by the BWDB and Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) paints a grim picture.  In nearly one kilometre of the area, the river has deepened dangerously close to the embankment, causing soil erosion from the riverbed. In the remaining stretch of one kilometre, the Padma has crept perilously close to the embankment, with erosion continuing unabated. As a result, the entire structure now stands vulnerable. The Padma creeps ever closer, with fears mounting that large sections of the embankment could be lost when water levels rise with the monsoon. Shubho Tara (45), a resident of Achimuddin Madbor’s Kandi, stands on what remains of her family’s land, staring into the swirling waters that have already swallowed generations of memories. “The Padma has taken everything – our homes, our lands, our dreams,” she said, her voice trembling. “We rebuilt, again and again, but every year it comes back stronger. Now, cracks are appearing near the embankment.” The warning signs had been there. Last November, nearly 100 metres of the embankment vanished into the river at Naodoba Zero Point, according to the BWDB and BBA survey. Although BWDB was alerted, repairs were delayed for months.  Emergency restoration finally began just days ago, on 25 April, using sand-filled geo-bags and concrete blocks at a cost of Tk 2.87 crore. Much awaited train service to begin on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge Tuesday When asked about why immediate action was not taken at the time, local BWDB officials provided no clear explanation. Now, as the clock ticks down to the rainy season, a frantic push is underway. A Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been hurriedly sent to the concerned ministry, seeking approval to undertake large-scale reinforcements, according to Tareq Hasan. However, even if greenlighted today, officials admit it would be impossible to fully complete the work before the monsoon peaks. BWDB officials such as Sub-Assistant Engineer Suman Kumar Banik remain hopeful but cautious. “We have submitted the project proposal and are awaiting approval. If it comes soon, we will start emergency work immediately,” he said, adding that full protection will not be possible this monsoon. “It will take until the next rainy season to complete,” he mentioned. Beyond technical reports and frantic paperwork, it is the riverside residents who bear the daily brunt of the erosion’s fury. Hundreds of homes now perch precariously close to the river’s edge, their foundations trembling. “Every night when the wind howls, we cannot sleep. We just pray that by morning, our home is still here,” added Shubho Tara. As the sun dips behind the Padma, its restless waters lap hungrily at the banks. And now, with the first rains beginning to fall, hundreds like Tara, living in fear, stand still – holding their breath against the river’s relentless, consuming pull. With additional inputs from Julfekar Dehan  

The much-sought train service connecting Khulna and Dhaka via the Padma Bridge officially began operations on Tuesday.  The inaugural journey of the Jahanabad Express started from Khulna Railway Station at 6:00 AM with an expected arrival time of 9:45 AM at Dhaka Railway Station. The new service, part of the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Khulna and Dhaka, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s rail connectivity. An official ceremony at Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka was attended by  Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Railways, who inaugurated the service.  With the launch of two passenger trains—the Jahanabad Express (Khulna-Dhaka-Khulna) and the Ruposhi Bangla Express (Benapole-Dhaka-Benapole)—train journey in the region is now faster and more efficient.  Much awaited train service to begin on Benapole-Dhaka route via Padma Bridge Tuesday The Ministry of Railways said the new route via the Padma Bridge will cut travel time to just under four hours.  Travellers said this is a significant improvement compared to the current travel time of 9 hours 30 minutes from Dhaka to Khulna via Tangail and Ishwardi, and 7 hours 35 minutes to Benapole via Rajbari. Train Schedules The Jahanabad Express (Train No. 825) departs Khulna at 6:00 AM and arrives in Dhaka at 9:45 AM. On its return journey, Train No. 826 departs Dhaka at 8:00 PM and reaches Khulna at 11:40 PM. Along the way, it stops at Noapara, Singia Junction, Lohagora, Kashiani Junction, and Bhanga Junction stations. Similarly, the Ruposhi Bangla Express (Train No. 828) departs Dhaka at 10:45 AM and reaches Benapole at 2:30 PM. On its return, Train No. 827 departs Benapole at 3:30 PM and arrives in Dhaka at 7:10 PM, with stops at Jessore Junction, Narail, Kashiani Junction, and Bhanga Junction. Both trains are equipped with 12 coaches, accommodating 768 passengers.  Advance tickets are available online and at designated station counters since Saturday (Dec 21).  The trains will operate six days a week, with a weekly break on Mondays. New Dhaka-Khulna train services via Padma Bridge to launch on Dec 24 Boost for Regional Travel The inauguration of this service heralds a new era for rail travel in Bangladesh, offering passengers a faster, more comfortable alternative for long-distance journeys. The new trains are expected to enhance connectivity, reduce travel costs, and boost trade and tourism between Dhaka, Khulna, Benapole, and surrounding regions.