In a major decision, the government has decided to allow motorbikes to cross the River Padma through the country’s biggest ever Padma Multi-Purpose Bridge from April 20 on a trial basis.
The decision taken ahead of holy Eid-ul-Fitr of allowing the motorbikes to ply over the Padma Bridge after eight months of its opening has been welcomed by thousands of motor bikers.
The decision is expected to curb sufferings to millions of people of the country’s South and South-Western zones in their journeys, mainly during the Eid holidays.
The pressure on bus and other road transportation system are also expected to ease.
As per the decision, the motorcycles will be allowed to move through the service lane of the main bridge as per the rules starting 6:00am on 20 April, Minister of Road Transport and Bridges Obaidul Quader told media following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held on Tuesday.
He later spoke to journalists at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Ganobhaban.
He said that the speed limit for motorcycles on the Padma bridge will be 60km per hour. Fines will be imposed in case of violation of the rules and if necessary, the facility will be closed again, added the minister.
Bike operation through Padma Bridge will be experimental, said Obaidul Quader.
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved this decision to meet up the demand of the bikers," he added.
Previously on the day, a special ferry service began its operation for passenger motorcycles to cross the Padma River prior to Eid-ul-Fitr.
Earlier Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) decided to ferry motorcycles on the Shimulia-Majhirkandi route of Padma River for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
Following BIWTC's request, bridge authorities allowed ferries to run through the pillars 22-23, and 38-39 of Padma Bridge in a letter signed by Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam on 13 April.
The Bridges Division banned motorcycles on the bridge from 27 June 2022 as the pressure of motorbikes overwhelmed the toll plaza employees and two bikers died in a crash on the bridge on 26 June.
Meanwhile, thousands of motor-bikers have hailed the government decision and thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her special consideration.
A biker, while talking to this correspondent, said that if they use ferry on this route they have to wait for hours and the toll amount is Tk 150. But now their time and money both will be saved as the government has allowed motorcycle on Padma Bridge. Motorcycle toll on Padma Bridge is Tk 100.