The Bridges Division on Monday paid Tk 316.02 crore as the third and fourth instalments of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge.
Bridges Division Secretary Manjur Hossain handed over a cheque of Tk 316,02,69,093 to the Senior Secretary of Finance Division around 10am in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, read a press release of the road transport and bridges ministry.
Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader, cabinet members, secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister were also present at that time.
With this, the Bridges Division paid a total of Tk 632,93,36,6142 to the government in instalments.
Earlier on April 5, the Bridges Division began the repayment of the loan with Tk 316,90,97,049 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge.
The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low-interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
In line with a revised agreement with the finance division on July 26, 2022, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) will repay the loan in 35 years through 140 instalments (four instalments each year). The repayment will continue up to the fiscal year 2056-57.
The authority collected tolls worth Tk 779,75,87,000 from the bridge till June 18, 2023.
