People those who completed the journey from Dhaka to Barisal and Khulna by buses, coaches and other vehicles on Sunday, the first day the 6.15km Padma Bridge was opened for traffic, expressed joy, saying it was unbelievable.
They reached Barisal within three hours from Dhaka via Padma Bridge while people of Khulna region needed four to five hours. Apart from the passengers, drivers and helpers of goods-laden trucks, covered vans and pickup vans, echoed the same voices, saying they had never such a smooth and wonderful journey on the highway as they did on Sunday. They could not even imagine that they would be able to cross the river this way.
It was a regular scenario in the past that hundreds of buses, coaches, cars, goods-laden trucks, covered vans, pickup-vans and other vehicles used to remain stranded at Paturia- Daulatdia and Shimulia-Kathalbari ferry due to suspension of ferry service caused by bad weather, dense fog, lack of navigability and strong currents on the Padma River almost every day. Besides, shortage of ferries also added salts into wounds.
All the passengers and commoners will have to play a responsible
role while crossing the Padma Bridge as it is a very important national
establishment and one of biggest assets of the country
People used to wait an average of 2-3 hours to cross the mighty river Padma on the ferries. But when the ferry service remained suspended due to bad weather, dense fog, lack of navigability and strong currents on the Padma River, they had to wait 18 to 20 hours. But now it has been trimmed down to less than 10 minutes. The long 12-13 hour or 18-20 hours journeys for the people in the southwest to reach the capital are now a thing of the past.
A youth was arrested on Sunday for removing nuts and bolts from the railing of Padma Bridge. Some curious people are allegedly descending on the bridge from motor vehicles and stealing these valuable goods and equipment.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) says the youth had a plan to commit subversive activities. Meanwhile, the Bridges Division has imposed restrictions on the movement of curious people on Padma Bridge. The Bangladesh Army personnel who are maintaining the bridge’s security have been asked to take necessary steps so that people cannot get down on the bridge from any vehicle.
Amid fears of “subversive activities”, foolproof security measures should be taken immediately. Besides, all the passengers and commoners will have to play a responsible role while crossing the Padma Bridge as it is a very important national establishment and one of biggest assets of the country.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of all to ensure bridge security and sustainability and maintain discipline while crossing it.
