Even after 32 years of construction, Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge toll is being collected

Even after 32 years of construction, the Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge in Mymensingh is collecting tolls. Local people are angry because the toll collection has not been stopped for a long time. The leaders of the district civic movement have warned of agitation if action is not taken quickly. However, the Roads and Highways Department says that it is the ministry’s business to collect or stop tolls.

Since its inauguration in 1991, the Bangladesh-China Friendship Bridge built on the Brahmaputra River in Mymensingh has been collecting tolls. At present, depending on the size of the vehicle, the toll has to be paid from Tk 10 to Tk 250.

The transport drivers and owners are angry because the toll collection has not been stopped even after 32 years. Transport related people complain that they are in trouble because the rate of toll collection is increased every year without any rules. The leaders of the district citizen movement say that if the toll collection of this bridge is not stopped, a large movement program will be announced. Meanwhile, the toll collection of this bridge is completely dependent on the decision of the ministry. Said the Executive Engineer of Roads and Highways Department.

An average of 5,000 vehicles pass through this bridge at a cost of 97 crore rupees every day. In the last three years, about 47 crores of revenue has been collected from toll lease.