Seamless Eid Travel Sought on Padma, Jamuna Bridges

To ensure safe, comfortable, and uninterrupted travel for passengers using the Padma and Jamuna bridges during the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Fitr, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems or ETC toll booths have been activated at both ends of the bridges.

At the same time, State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Md. Rajib Ahsan has instructed authorities to keep CCTV cameras operational at toll plazas and toll booths under the Bridges Division. The directive aims to ensure continuous monitoring of traffic conditions at key intersections through surveillance systems across all bridges and installations under the division.

He also called for maintaining sufficient small-denomination cash at toll booths to facilitate quick toll payments. Additionally, he sought the cooperation of vehicle owners, drivers, and passengers to prevent traffic congestion caused by unfit or unlicensed vehicles operating on bridges, installations, and roads during the Eid travel rush.

The directives were issued at a coordination meeting held in the conference room of the Bridges Division on Sunday, 8 March. The meeting was attended by Secretary of the Bridges Division and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority Mohammad Abdur Rauf, along with other senior officials concerned.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s instructions, State Minister Md. Rajib Ahsan said that maximum caution has been directed to ensure that the Eid journey of homebound travelers remains accident-free and orderly. “We have decided to adopt a coordinated programme to ensure that passengers’ travel during Eid is safe, comfortable, and convenient,” he said.

He also instructed officials to identify potential challenges related to bridge crossings and resolve them promptly through discussions with relevant stakeholders and bus owners. The state minister further urged passengers to comply with traffic laws.

The Bridges Division secretary noted that ETC booths will remain operational at both ends of the bridges to ensure smooth and rapid toll payment, enabling ETC cardholder vehicles to cross the bridges quickly. To reduce congestion and ensure security, traffic will be continuously monitored through CCTV cameras at toll plazas, while adequate small-denomination cash will be kept available for toll transactions. Authorities also requested the cooperation of drivers, vehicle owners, and passengers to prevent any traffic congestion caused by unfit or unlicensed vehicles.

DBTech/MAR/EK/OR