Padma Progress: Nagad to Power Seamless Toll Payment
Bangladesh’s state-run mobile financial service provider, Nagad, has been entrusted with implementing the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on the Padma Bridge, marking a significant step toward seamless vehicle movement and digital toll payment.
On Wednesday, Nagad signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) to initiate toll collection using RFID-based technology, enabling motorists to pay tolls automatically without stopping at toll plazas. The new system is expected to drastically reduce congestion and wait times, enhancing overall commuting experience on the bridge.
The agreement was signed at the conference hall of the Bridge Division headquarters in Dhaka. Khandaker Nurul Haque, Director (Finance and Accounts) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, signed the agreement on behalf of the authority, while Md. Muyeed Tasnim Tawki, Chief Strategy Officer of Nagad, signed on behalf of the financial service provider.
The event was attended by Secretary of the Bridge Division and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Director (Administration) of the Bridge Directorate Altaf Hossain, and Administrator of Nagad Md. Motasim Billah, along with other top officials from the involved organizations. On the same occasion, the Bridge Division also entered into agreements with three additional financial institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Executive Director and Secretary of the Bridge Division Mohammad Abdur Rouf stated, “Our initiative to digitize toll payments on the Padma Bridge aims to provide citizens with hassle-free service. With Eid-ul-Adha approaching, we want travelers to use the Padma Bridge smoothly and conveniently. That’s why we are partnering with Nagad and several other financial institutions.”
Md. Motasim Billah, Administrator of Nagad appointed by the Bangladesh Bank, commented, “We are enhancing our technology to support digital payments and are incentivizing users to adopt our services. With a little more support from the government, this service can gain widespread popularity. If successfully implemented, it will prevent unnecessary traffic jams at toll plazas and ensure a smooth, modern transaction process for toll collection.”
Nagad’s Chief Strategy Officer Md. Muyeed Tasnim Tawki noted, “The agreement signed today will serve as a milestone in the implementation of digital payments in Bangladesh. As service operators, we are creating solutions, but for full success, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) must play a significant role.”
