Economic Reporter:

Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has collected Tk 3,429 crore in toll revenue from the Padma Bridge since it was opened to traffic in June 2022.

A total of 2,68,62,808 vehicles crossed the bridge till June 29 this year, generating Tk 3,429.45 crore in toll revenue, according to a BBA statement issued on Tuesday, reports UNB.

During the period, the authority repaid Tk 2,516.68 crore to the government in 16 instalments against the loan taken for the bridge construction.

No instalments are currently overdue, the release said.

Built at a cost of Tk 30,770.14 crore with the government’s own funding, the Padma Bridge was inaugurated on June 25, 2022 and opened to traffic the following day.

Under an agreement between the Bangladesh Bridge Authority and the Finance Division, the authority is required to repay a total of Tk 36,000 crore, including one percent interest, over a period of 35 years through 140 quarterly installments.

The BBA has also deposited Tk 436.07 crore in VAT collected from toll revenue into the state treasury so far.