Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday said allowing motorbikes to ply the Padma Bridge is an Eid gift to the youngsters from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given permission for running of motorbikes on the Padma Bridge as an Eid gift to the young generation. Plying of motorbikes was stopped because of irregularities ... now people have become conscious, so permission has been given to ply motorbikes," said Quader, general secretary of ruling Awami League.
The minister went to see the movement of motor vehicles through the Padma Bridge ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
He said motorbikes will continue to ply the Padma Bridge by obeying some conditions such as maintaining a speed up to 60km per hour and refraining from taking photos. If these rules are violated, plying of bikes could be stopped again, he said, adding that anyone who violates these rules will face punishment.
He said proper steps have been taken to ensure security.
The minister thanked the motorcyclists running bikes through the bridge abiding by the rules.
Later, he visited the Mawa and Jajira ends of the bridge and paid the toll for his vehicles.
