United News of Bangladesh

The Jamuna Bridge authorities have collected Tk 20.34 crore in tolls in the past six days as more than 2,62,000 vehicles crossed the Jamuna Bridge ahead of eid-ul-Azha. Data from the Jamuna Bridge authorities showed that a total of 2,62,908 vehicles used the bridge between May 22 and midnight on May 27, said source at Jamuna Bridge authorities. Of them, 1,59,243 vehicles crossed through the eastern toll plaza, while 1,03,665 vehicles used the western toll plaza. During the period, toll collections from both sides of the bridge amounted to Tk 20,34,47,100. According to the authorities, 34,966 vehicles crossed the bridge on May 22, generating Tk 3.24 crore in tolls. On May 23, some 32,649 vehicles crossed the bridge, contributing Tk 2.96 crore in revenue. The number of vehicles increased to 39,919 on May 24, with toll earnings reaching Tk 3.25 crore. On May 25, a total of 53,246 vehicles crossed the bridge, generating Tk 3.77 crore. On May 26, toll revenue stood at Tk 3.75 crore from 56,239 vehicles, while 45,889 vehicles crossed the bridge on May 27, generating Tk 3.34 crore, said Executive Engineer of the Maintenance and Operations Division of the Jamuna Bridge, Syed Riaz Uddin. Traffic volume on the bridge increased three to four times compared to normal days as homebound holidaymakers travelled ahead of Eid, he said. To manage the additional pressure and ensure smooth toll collection, authorities set up four temporary toll booths in addition to the existing 14 booths at the toll plazas, he added. However, the toll collection after May 27 will be informed later, he said.

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