Motorcycles to be allowed on Padma Bridge from 20 April

Motorbikes will be allowed to cross the Padma Bridge from 20 April after eight months of hiatus.

The motorcycles will be allowed to move through the service lane of the main bridge as per the rules starting 6am on 20 April, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told the media following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday (18 April).

He said, the speed limit for motorcycles on the Padma bridge will be 60km per hour. Fines will be imposed in case of violation of the rules and if necessary, the facility will be closed again, added the minister.

"The bridge can be crossed at a maximum speed of 60 km with the fixed toll. The designated tollbooth and designated lane must be used for motorcycles. The designated lane cannot be changed under any circumstances. Overtaking cannot be done. The driver and the rider must use the necessary safety equipment including helmets. Under no circumstances can the motorcyclist stand on the bridge or take pictures. Maximum two people including the driver can ride the motorcycle," reads a press release by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

Previously on the day, a special ferry service began its operation for passenger motorcycles to cross the Padma River prior to Eid-ul-Fitr.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) decided to ferry motorcycles on the Shimulia-Majhirkandi route of the Padma River for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

Following BIWTC's request, the bridge authorities allowed ferries to run through the pillars 22-23, and 38-39 of Padma Bridge in a letter signed by Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam on 13 April.

The Bridges Division banned motorcycles on the bridge from 27 June 2022 as the pressure of motorbikes overwhelmed the toll plaza employees and two bikers died in a crash on the bridge on 26 June.