TE24 Bangladesh Desk
Motorcycle movement on the Padma Bridge has been banned after two bike riders were killed in an accident on the Padma Bridge.
This prompted some riders to rely on getting an extension through the gate van with their vehicle because they could not cross the waterway in any other way because the ship administration was similarly suspended, they shouted.
Pick-ups are charging Rs 1,000 for each trip.
Md. Nurul Alam, who crossed the bridge with his family in a pick-up with his bike, said that money was not an issue in this case as it was the wish of his family members to visit the bridge.
Md. Hafeez, an agent of a pharmaceutical company, said, “I left for my old neighborhood in Madaripur but could not get there because the pick-ups were asking for Rs 1,000 to cross the scaffolding and I could not manage the cost.
“Why should we blame other bikers for their actions? Those responsible for violating the rules or ignoring the rules should be punished.
“Assuming that all bikes are prohibited from crossing the Padma Bridge, how can it be used for people in the southern part of the country,” he added.
Md. Russell Mia said, “My father is very ill so I have to get home quickly. But I could not cross the toll plaza, so now I am going in a pickup for which I have to pay one thousand rupees.”
Pick-up driver Md. Shahjahan Miah said, “I can take two bikes on each trip and I have completed three trips out of it.
“I’m taking Rs 1,000 for each bike. I earned Rs 4,700 in this manner yesterday (June 27).”
Talking to The Business Standard, Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) Supervising Engineer (Bridges) Mohammad Tofazzal Hossain said the number of bikes in the toll plaza area is very low due to the ban on crossing the Padma Bridge.
Some are crossing the Padma Bridge with their bikes piled up and hidden as pick-up items.
Whatever it is, bikers sitting on motorcycles inside the pick-up are being deprived of their passes as there is a risk of getting down to take pictures, Tofazzal Hossain added.
Thus, in the interest of security, they are being returned, said the BBA official.
