United News of Bangladesh

The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at the Padma Bridge has crossed another milestone collecting over Tk 10 crore in tolls while registering over 1,000 vehicles since its launch, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority said on Monday. The authority said toll collection across the country has gained fresh momentum through the ETC system, introduced following an announcement by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The initiative, aimed at replacing manual toll collection with a unified cashless and digital system nationwide, has quickly won the trust of bridge users, it said. As of Sunday, total toll collection through ETC stood at Tk 10,08,24,600, marking the crossing of the Tk 10-crore milestone. The number of vehicles registered under ETC including long-haul buses, commercial trucks and private cars that regularly use the bridge, has risen to 1,008. Since the service began, a total of 56,406 vehicles have crossed the bridge seamlessly by paying tolls electronically. Bridges Division Secretary and Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the authority has been working tirelessly to implement the prime minister's visionary decision to bring discipline to road transport and ensure convenience for the public through ETC-based toll collection. He said collecting over Tk 10 crore in tolls and registering more than 1,000 vehicles through the ETC system is not merely a statistic but a major success in making the country's public transport sector technology-friendly and cashless. "I extend my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all officials, employees, technical partners, transport owners' associations and bridge users who placed their trust in this system for this achievement." To ease the process for users, toll payment at the Padma Bridge has been made simple and fast. Customers can now pay tolls through popular mobile financial services (MFS) such as Tap, bKash, Nagad and Upay, as well as through mobile and digital banking apps of various commercial banks, eliminating the hassle of standing in long queues for cash transactions. Currently, toll payments at the Padma Bridge can be made through various MFS apps and the apps of Trust Bank's TAP, Midland Bank, NCC Bank, Prime Bank and Mutual Trust Bank. Users can complete registration by entering the "Motor Vehicle Registration" option under "D-Toll" in the relevant app, providing the vehicle number and the last four digits of the chassis number. After registration, users need to recharge the required amount through the "D-Toll Top-Up" service. For first-time use, vehicle owners must visit the registration booth near Mawa toll plaza or the toll booth itself to verify their BRTA-approved RFID tag. Once registered, users can cross the Padma Bridge seamlessly through the ETC lane, using the same RFID tag issued by BRTA without needing a separate tag. Leading bus operators on the country's south-western routes, including Emad Paribahan, Dola Paribahan, Sarbik Paribahan and Golden Line Paribahan, along with numerous commercial and private vehicle owners, have already registered for ETC and are regularly using the facility, the authority said. Vehicles using the ETC lane do not need to stop at the toll plaza, instead paying tolls automatically while maintaining a speed of around 60 kilometres per hour. This has reduced waiting time at the plaza to zero and prevented severe congestion during peak periods such as Eid. Since vehicles no longer need to stop and start, fuel wastage has been reduced and carbon emissions lowered, ensuring a more sustainable and environment-friendly transport system. The Bridge Authority said it firmly believes the ETC model at the Padma Bridge has set a new benchmark for highway and bridge management across the country. Following the prime minister's directives, efforts are under way to bring the Padma Bridge's toll collection fully under an automated system, while extending cashless ETC facilities to other major bridges, expressways and tunnels across the country. The authority urged all transport owners and drivers to complete ETC registration for their vehicles as soon as possible, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring faster, safer and world-class modern road services for the public.