Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), an autonomous body responsible for the building and maintenance of bridges, has proposed to raise tolls at Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge by 20 percent to 100 percent in order to meet the increasing maintenance cost.
If the new toll rate is effective, it will increase by 5 percent after every 3 years. If the rescheduled toll is approved, the cost of living may increase. Fares for passenger and freight vehicles will increase. An average 45 per cent increase in fares could push up prices of daily commodities, including vegetables from the northern part of the country. The concerned people think that there is a fear of increasing the car rent several times due to the increase in the toll rate.
Bangabandhu Bridge and Muktarpur Bridge are operated under Bangladesh Bridge Authority. The toll rate of Bangabandhu Bridge was fixed in 1997. In September 2011, it was increased by an average of about 17 percent.
The toll of Muktarpur Bridge was fixed in 2008. This time the toll of the two bridges is increasing at an average rate of 45 percent. Besides, freight vehicle trailers are being added to the toll. The proposal is scheduled to be raised at the 109th board meeting of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority on Thursday.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority executive director Mohammed Belayet Hossain told in this regard that the toll of the bridges has not increased for a long time. It is very necessary. However, this is a policy issue of the government. The consent of the Prime Minister's Office and the Finance Department will be required. Now approval is being taken through the board meeting.
In the proposal to increase the toll of the bridge, it has been said that the existing toll of motorcycles in Bangabandhu Bridge is 40 taka, is increasing 50 percent. Taka 500 is taken for light vehicles like cars and jeeps. That toll will increase to 700 taka, increasing by 40 percent here.
In case of microbus and pickup (less than one and a half ton) 60 percent toll will be increased from 500 to 800 taka. If the small bus has 31 seats or less, a toll of Tk 650 is charged, it will be increased by 38 percent. If the big bus has 32 seats or more, now 900 taka is taken. The toll will be increased by 44 percent.
If the small truck weighs 1.5 to 5 tonnes, the toll is 850 taka. The toll is being increased by 41 percent. If the medium truck is 5 tonnes to 8 tonnes, 1600 taka is taken instead of 1100 taka. The current toll for large trucks weighing more than 8 tons is 1400 taka. It is being increased by 42 percent-- Tk 2,000.
The toll rate of Muktarpur Bridge constructed under Bangladesh Bridge Authority is also being re-determined.
According to the concerned, the toll rate of the two bridges under the bridge authority was fixed 10 years ago. It is proposed to increase the toll in the interest of payment of existing toll rates, traffic forecasting, revenue and expenditure of the bridge authority, operation and maintenance cost of the bridge and debit service liability (DSL).
The bridge authority is paying around Tk 230 crore every year for DSL. It’s level also increases with the change in the exchange rate of foreign currency. Apart from that, the company pays 15 per cent VAT on toll income.
