Padma Bridge
2 motorcyclists injured in first accident on Padma Bridge die
Two young motorcyclists who were critically injured in an accident on the Padma Bridge on its very first day are dead, according to police.
The deceased were identified as Md Alamgir, 24, and Fazlu, 25, by Bacchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police Outpost.
The first known accident on the Padma Bridge occurred when they were crossing the bridge on a motorcycle around 8pm Sunday.
Later, pedestrians rushed them to DMCH where they were declared dead at 10 pm.
Read: Extremely busy first day ends in tailbacks, showcases potential
The bodies were kept in the hospital morgue for autopsies, Bacchu said.
The Padma Bridge saw a huge pressure of traffic and a crowd of onlookers Sunday, creating tailbacks on both sides of the long-awaited bridge.
Hundreds of vehicles including buses, trucks, private cars, motorbikes, and ambulances were seen waiting in front of the two toll plazas at Mawa and Nowdoba points of Shariatpur.
They were not maintaining queues and trying to cross each other haphazardly in front of the toll plazas.
The Bridges Division banned motorcycles on the Padma Bridge from Monday.
Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge from Monday
The government has banned plying of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge until further notice.
The ban imposed by the Bridge Division under the Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges, will be effective from 6am Monday.
The Press Information Department issued a notification in this regard on Sunday night.
Long queues of buses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and ambulances were seen waiting in hundreds on the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway till the gates of the bridge opened at 6am Sunday.
Read: Extremely busy first day ends in tailbacks, showcases potential
Meanwhile, the government announced that stopping vehicles, walking and taking pictures on the Padma Bridge are completely prohibited and punishable offenses.
UNB reporters crossing the bridge on Sunday night reported vehicle were not maintaining rules and trying to cross each other haphazardly in front of the toll plazas -motorcyclists being some of the worst offenders in this regard.
Army personnel were finding it difficult to maintain discipline due to the unruly behaviour of the vehicle drivers and motorbikes.
There were also hundreds of motorbikes on both sides of the bridge who seemed to have come only for sightseeing, worsening the tailback.
'A symbol of our self-reliance, courage, perseverance, ability and self-confidence'
Lauding the inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge, several entertainers and celebrated media personalities shared their excitement and joy with the media reporters and on their social media handles.
Popular celebrities including Dhallywood superstar Shakib Khan, Jaya Ahsan, Omar Sani, Zayed Khan, Anjana Rahman, Chanchal Chowdhury and many other celebrities from the entertainment sphere expressed their heartfelt words, regarding the newly inaugurated Padma Bridge.
Shakib Khan took to his official Facebook page, to express his delight at the Padma Bridge's opening. “This is indeed a dream come true scenario as the Padma Bridge is now in sight. This bridge will revolutionize the capital's transportation and communication system and economy with the country's south-western region. The completion of the Padma Bridge is a significant accomplishment for Bangladesh. Our Padma bridge, our source of pride."
Jaya Ahsan, one of the most popular actresses in both Bangladesh and West Bengal, wrote a tribute article for Kolkata’s Anandabazar Patrika. In that piece, she wrote: “In the construction process of the bridge, there were many significant obstacles in almost every step. The first was the World Bank's withdrawal from the project. Our Prime Minister said, "We will build this bridge with our own money," which seemed like an impossible thought and she even acknowledged the possible obstacles.”
Read: Padma Bridge connecting Bangladesh’s past with bright future: German envoy
“There were all kinds of rumours and speculations as many did not believe that such a big project can be done with our own money, Sheikh Hasina went ahead almost alone with this unwavering confidence, and she turned the impossible into possible. The Padma Bridge is probably her greatest contribution to the people of Bengal, and this bridge will surely keep her memory alive,” Jaya Ahsan wrote.
Silver screen superstar Omar Sani wrote on his Facebook: “My ancestral home is in Barisal’s Gournadi Union and although I was born into Kaliganj, Jinjira in the Dhaka division, my father-in-law's house is in Satkhira, Khulna. Alhamdulillah, Padma Bridge, is indeed our pride. Our first achievement is our liberation and independence, and our second achievement is Padma Bridge.”
"This thrill is incomparable," stated popular music composer Prince Mahmud. “This cannot be put into words. This sentiment is not an immediate commotion. This resonance will be felt by those who have come from the other side of the Padma. Life has become easier and simpler, and I can now travel home anytime I wish."
Anjana Rahman, another popular actress representing the silver screen, said, “Our Padma Bridge, our pride. The hopes and aspirations of 170 million Bengali-speaking people are fulfilled today. Without the grace of the World Bank, we have funded on our own to build the Padma Bridge. Salute to you, Hon'ble Prime Minister Deshratna Sheikh Hasina - the embodiment of all the hopes and aspirations of the entire Bengali nation, the daughter of democracy.”
Acclaimed actor-singer Chanchal Chowdhury wrote, ”Today (yesterday) is the happiest day of Bangladesh, the day of pride. Long live Sheikh Hasina, for constructing the bridge of joy. "Padma Bridge," is our pride.”
Read: Busy first day leads to tailback, showcases potential
Popular rockstar, musician, activist, poet, Baul researcher and legendary band Feedback co-founder Maqsoodul Haque lauded the initiative from his Facebook page Mac Haque, writing:
“An unbelievable dream that millions had hoped for - a structure like none other in our history. Joy Bangla.”
The official theme song for the grand opening of Padma Bridge has been composed by renowned singer-music composer Kishore Das. Writing from his official page Kishore, he said: Just before the Padma Bridge's inauguration, the Prime Minister and dignitaries present are playing the song written by Kabir Bakul Bhai, to my tune, performed by legendary singers including Sabina Yasmin, Rafiqul Alam, Kumar Bishwajit, Rezwana Choudhury Bannya, Momotaz Begum, Dilshad Nahar Kona, Bappa Mazumder, Imran Mahmudul, Nishita Barua and myself. This is indeed an incredible experience for me.”
Besides, many other popular celebrities including Mehazabein Chowdhury, Afran Nisho, Tasnia Farin, Tawsif Mahbub, Zayed Khan and more have shared their excitement over the inauguration of the Padma Bridge.
Extremely busy first day ends in tailbacks, showcases potential
The Padma Bridge witnessed huge pressure of traffic and a crowd of onlookers Sunday, the very first day it opened for vehicular movement, creating tailbacks on both sides of the long-awaited bridge.
The sheer volume of vehicles that showed up to cross the bridge from either side led to an excruciating wait at the toll plazas, to pay the toll and get cleared to go. This primarily was the source of the tailbacks.
Hundreds of vehicles including buses, trucks, private cars, motorbikes, and ambulances were seen waiting in front of the two toll plazas at Mawa point and Nowdoba point of Shariatpur. They are not maintaining queues and trying to cross each other haphazardly in front of the toll plazas.
Besides, the process of collecting tolls is also very slow. Army personnel are finding it difficult to maintain discipline due to the unruly behaviour of the drivers. There are also hundreds of motorbikes on both ends of the bridge who seem to be there only for sightseeing.
Vehicles remained stuck for over 2kms from Mawa point toll plaza and over 1.5 Km from Nowdoba point at around 8 pm.
According to the witnesses, the traffic pressure kept increasing from the afternoon.
Padma Bridge connecting Bangladesh’s past with bright future: German envoy
German Ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster has said the Padma Bridge is a symbol for connecting Bangladesh’s past with a bright future, noting that it is not just connecting two riversides.
"It will immensely contribute to trade, tourism, investment and regional connectivity. Bangladesh has every reason to be proud of that hugely impressive bridge," he said on Sunday.
The German envoy who joined the celebrations on Saturday said this 6.15km bridge will not only support an area that has been poorly served by the road network, it will also accelerate socio-economic development of millions of people in the Southwestern part of the country.
He congratulated the people of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for making the long cherished Padma Bridge a reality.
Read: Dhaka seeks enhanced role of UN development system
"This is really a milestone in the history of Bangladesh’s remarkable development," said the envoy.
This huge and beautiful bridge is a technical masterpiece and gives evidence to the whole world of what Bangladesh is capable of achieving, he said.
The ambassador said it is now visible for everybody that Bangladesh has definitely left behind the status of a Least Developed Country.
"Personally, I am very delighted to be a part of this historic inauguration," he mentioned.
The envoy said bridges are important elements for connection, cooperation and growth. "Padma Bridge is a vital project in the national road network of Bangladesh."
Padma Bridge starts by raking in over Tk 1 million an hour
The government earned Tk 82.19 lakh in revenue through collecting tolls from vehicles crossing the Padma Bridge from 6am to 2pm on Sunday, as the long-awaited bridge became officially operational for the first time.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the bridge on Saturday and it was opened to traffic on Sunday morning.
“Tolls worth Tk 82.19 lakh have been collected till 2pm today (Sunday),” Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA) Superintendent Engineer Abul Hossain told UNB.
He said around 15,200 vehicles crossed the bridge during the same period.
Read: Padma Bridge opens to traffic; Hundreds of vehicles seen at Mawa, Jajira ends
The government expects that Padma Bridge's construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years, according to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA).
The finance ministry provided BBA an amount of Tk 30,000 crore as credit, which will be repaid with one per cent interest rate in 35 years.
Meanwhile, the government announced that stopping vehicles, walking and taking pictures on the Padma Bridge are completely prohibited and punishable offenses.
The cabinet urged the public to be vigilant in complying with the ban today.
The government also requested all to pay tolls while crossing the bridge.
The government on May 17 finalised the toll rate for different types of vehicles for crossing the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. The Bridges Division under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard.
Read: Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka congratulate Bangladesh on Padma Bridge inauguration
According to the government decision, Tk 100 toll has been fixed for motorbike, Tk 750 for private car and jeep, Tk 1200 from pick-up, Tk 1300 for microbus, Tk 1400 for small bus (with 31 seats), Tk 2000 for middle bus (with 32 seats), Tk 2400 for big size bus, Tk 1600 for small truck (5 tonnes), Tk 2100 for middle size truck (over 5 tonnes to 8 tonnes), Tk 2800 for middle size truck (over 8 tonnes to 11 tonnes), Tk 5500 for big truck (up to 3 excel) Tk 6000 for trailer truck (4 excel) and Tk 6,000 plus for trailer (over 4 excel).
More countries, diplomats greet Bangladesh on completion of Padma Bridge
Bangladesh’s foreign friends continue to congratulate Bangladesh on the completion of the Padma Bridge and appreciate its determination and courage under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the inauguration of Padma Multipurpose Bridge will unleash new opportunities for the socioeconomic development of Bangladesh and enhance connectivity in the region.
“Completion of this new mega project reflects the enormous confidence that Bangladesh has achieved under your leadership,” he said in a message to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina who inaugurated the bridge on Saturday.
Read:Padma Bridge opens to traffic; Hundreds of vehicles seen at Mawa, Jajira ends
The Nepalese Prime Minister said the bridge connects southwestern districts of Bangladesh through roads and railways with the capital and other areas of the country.
He extended his heartfelt felicitations to Prime Minister Hasina, her government and the people of Bangladesh on the completion of the Padma bridge project.
The Prime Minister became the first person to cross the Padma Bridge by paying toll.
The President of the Maldives, Prime Minister of Bhutan, and President of Sri Lanka have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the inauguration of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Saturday.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the successful completion of the bridge is a testament of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership, dedication and commitment to the development of Bangladesh.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said the iconic road-rail structure will go a long way in intensifying economic activities of Bangladesh and beyond.
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the bridge will positively contribute to the connectivity and inclusivity of Bangladesh enhancing its economic and industrial progress.
The Padma Bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital.
The United Nations also congratulated the people and the government of Bangladesh. “It has a huge potential to enhance connectivity and economic transformation for Bangladesh.”
Turkish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan has said the Padma Bridge will connect people, boost trade and make life easier in Bangladesh.
“Just like individuals, nations also have dreams. Today all Bangladeshis’ dream to cross the mighty Padma River over a bridge has come true,” he said after attending the formal inaugural ceremony of the Padma Bridge.
The ambassador said Bangladesh financed this mega project from its own resources is another reason to be proud of this achievement on the way to sustainable development.
Read: Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka congratulate Bangladesh on Padma Bridge inauguration
“If you have never been in Bangladesh, the biggest delta in the world where rivers are abundant and cut this beautiful green land into pieces, it is hard to imagine how a bridge could be such a powerful dream,” said the Turkish envoy.
Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh has said the Padma Bridge is an iconic symbol of Bangladesh’s transformation heralding a new era in regional connectivity.
The Consulate congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the inauguration of the Padma Bridge and described the bridge as a pride of Bangladesh.
“What an honour to witness this historic milestone!” Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh tweeted after attending the opening ceremony of the Padma Bridge.
Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen said this is an “incredible” milestone for the growth, development and connectivity of the country. “Congratulations to the people and the government of Bangladesh.”
Norwegian Ambassador to Bnagladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen said the dream of millions has been fulfilled and this “incredible achievement” will open a new chapter of growth, connectivity and development of the country.
Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Alex Berg von Linde termed it a “great achievement” that will open a new chapter of growth, connectivity and development of the country.
Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka congratulate Bangladesh on Padma Bridge inauguration
The president of the Maldives, prime minister of Bhutan, and president of Sri Lanka have congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the inauguration of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Saturday.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said successful completion of the bridge is a testament of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's dynamic leadership, dedication and commitment to the development of Bangladesh.
Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said the iconic road-rail structure will go a long way in intensifying economic activities of Bangladesh and beyond.
Read: World Bank happy, congratulates Bangladesh on Padma Bridge
Sri Lanka President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said the bridge will positively contribute to the connectivity and inclusivity of Bangladesh enhancing its economic and industrial progress.
The Padma Bridge has connected around one-third of Bangladesh's land area, entangled with rivers, to the capital.
Inauguration of Padma Bridge celebrated at Bangladesh HC in New Delhi
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi has celebrated the inauguration of the much-awaited Padma Bridge with much fanfare.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to India Muhammad Imran started off the celebration at 9:00am by placing a wreath at the effigy of Father of The Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inside the High Commission premises.
Read: Opening of Padma Bridge celebrated in Washington DC
A discussion was held by the High Commission to commemorate the event where messages from President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read.
In his speech, Imran said that the construction of Padma Bridge has taken Bangladesh closer to becoming 'Sonar Bangla’ envisaged by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The Padma Bridge is a symbol of self-respect, courage, aim and ability of Bangladesh. The bridge also portrays the firm leadership capability of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” said Imran.
Later, the High Commission staff joined the inauguration ceremony of Padma Bridge virtually and took part in the special prayer.
Padma Bridge an iconic symbol of Bangladesh’s transformation: Singapore
Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh has said the Padma Bridge is an iconic symbol of Bangladesh’s transformation heralding a new era in regional connectivity.
The Consulate congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the people of Bangladesh on the inauguration of the Padma Bridge and described the bridge as a pride of Bangladesh.
Read: Bangladesh an important country: US President
“What an honour to witness this historic milestone!” Singapore Consulate in Bangladesh tweeted after attending the opening ceremony of the Padma Bridge.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the Padma Bridge on Saturday.