Govt Moves to Boost ETC Toll Collection for Smooth Eid Travel on Major 3 Bridges
The government has decided to strengthen and accelerate toll collection operations by ensuring faster, uninterrupted, and hassle-free vehicle movement at the toll plazas of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Jamuna Bridge, and Muktarpur Bridge during the upcoming Eid.
The decision was taken at a special coordination meeting held on Sunday, 15 March, at the conference room of the Bridge Division. The meeting resolved to achieve this goal through the use of Electronic Toll Collection lanes.
The meeting was chaired by Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Bridge Division and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. Senior officials from the Bridge Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority attended the meeting, along with the Chairman (additional charge) of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, leaders of transport associations, representatives of transport owners, and representatives from various Mobile Financial Services providers.
Officials from the site offices of the respective bridges also participated in the meeting and presented field-level preparedness.
In his remarks, the Secretary of the Bridge Division said that the Honorable Prime Minister has provided directives to take necessary measures to modernize the country’s communication system. To implement that vision, the Honorable Minister and Honorable State Minister of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges have been working tirelessly and providing necessary guidance. In line with these coordinated directives and public expectations, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority remains committed to implementing the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on various bridges.
During the meeting, the Chairman (additional charge) of the BRTA assured maximum cooperation in implementing the ETC system. Leaders of transport associations, representatives of transport owners, and representatives of different Mobile Financial Services providers also pledged their cooperation.
To ensure smooth travel for homebound passengers during Eid, the meeting decided to maximize the use of ETC lanes at every toll plaza and keep them fully operational so that drivers can pay tolls without stopping and cross the bridges quickly. With the cooperation of the BRTA and transport owners’ associations, integrated service booths will be set up at bus terminals to facilitate the rapid installation and registration of RFID tags on both commercial and private vehicles.
Additionally, to enable travelers to recharge their toll accounts easily, mobile financial services will provide instant recharge facilities.
The Secretary of the Bridge Division said ensuring comfortable travel for people returning home during the holy Eid is one of the government’s top priorities. Through the use of modern technology such as ETC, authorities are determined to reduce long traffic congestion at toll plazas. All relevant stakeholders must work in coordination to ensure public service delivery. As a result of these technology-driven measures, congestion-free and comfortable travel across the Padma, Jamuna, and Muktarpur bridges during Eid is expected.
DBTech/MRS/EK/OR
