Staff Reporter :
Motorcycles will be allowed to use the Padma Bridge only after the installation of speed gun machines and CCTV cameras. The decision to stop the movement of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge is temporary.
State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said while talking to reporters after the completion of the Annual Performance Agreement (APA) held at the Shipping Ministry on Tuesday.
He, however, said that the Bangladesh Bridge Authority will decide when the motorcycle will run on the Bridge.
“The government has no plan to stop ferry services on the Kathalbari and Majhirkandi ferry routes in Shimulia. Ferry services will continue if there is a demand for vehicles. There are now six ferries at Shimulia Ghat and if there is no demand there will be no ferry in this ghat,” he said in reply to a query.
The State Minister said that Khaleda Zia had made negative remarks about the Padma Bridge due to her unconscious and anti-national leadership.
Quoting BNP Chairperson, Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury said, Khaldea Zia had said that the bridge would collapse.
“Some followers of BNP have opened the nut and bolt. Khaleda Zia had said in 2018 that the Padma Bridge was being built with patchwork and no one should climb the bridge. Khaleda Zia’s followers have tried to implement her statement,” the Shipping State Minister added.
There will be no disruption in the launch services with the southern part of the country even after opening of the Padma Bridge, he said adding that the launch owners will run their launches with more precise plans.
He also criticized the World Bank’s role for withdrawal of fund from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge project on the plea of false corruption charges against government officials and ex-Communication Minister.
The State Minister for Shipping also thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for taking challenge to construct the Bridge.
