BSS, Dhaka:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday received over Taka 314 crore as the 7th and 8th installments of loan repayment taken for the construction of the Padma Bridge.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Taka 314,64,86,963 to the Prime Minister as the seventh and eighth installments of loan for Padma Bridge at a programme at the Ganabhaban.

PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, PM’s Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan, Finance Division Secretary Dr. Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder and other concerned high officials were present at the programme.

With the latest installments, the bridges division has so far paid a total of Taka 1262,66,06,548 to the government.

On April 5, the bridges division began the repayment of the loan with Taka 316,90,97,050 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge as the first and second installments.

A total of Taka 1653,71,65,550 was collected as toll from the Padma Bridge since its operation on June 25 in 2022 to June 26, 2024.

The Padma Bridge was built with own finance at a cost of over Taka 32,605.52 crore.

The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

On June 25, 2022, the Prime Minister opened the country’s largest bridge – 6.15-km Padma Bridge – over the mighty river Padma.