Padma Bridge opened for motorcycles at 6am Thursday morning ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Motorcycle riders have been thronging Mawa toll plaza end since before the dawn.
Two booths at Mawa toll plaza are collecting toll from motorcycle riders. People were seen expressing their excitement as the bridge was opened to motorcycles after a long time.
Padma Bridge Executive Engineer Syed Rajab Ali said, “In the last two and a half hours, about 3,000 motorcycle riders crossed the Mawa toll plaza. So far, they are following the rules.”
The government had banned motorcycles on the bridge from June 27 last year until further notice, after two people died in an accident on the bridge a day before – which was also the opening day.
Motorcycles will only be able to use the bridge’s designated lane and tollbooth, and under no circumstances can bikers change the designated lane, according to a road transport and bridges ministry press release issued on Tuesday.
A maximum of two people, including the driver, can ride on the motorcycle and the maximum speed should be 60km per hour, the release read, adding that standing or taking photographs on the bridge is not allowed.
Meanwhile, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told reporters, “If the rules are violated, the government may stop motorcycles from getting on the bridge again.”
