The government has fixed tolls for using the 1.49-kilometre-long bridge over Payra River in Patuakhali, as its construction is expected to be completed by June, establishing direct link between Dhaka and southern parts of the country.
According to the officials, the tolls for heavy vehicles, private vehicles, motorcycles and other transports have been fixed as per the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) toll policy.
The Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges in a statutory regulatory order (SRO) fixed Tk 980 toll for each heavy goods-laden trailers, and Tk 750 for each truck with three or more than three axles, covered van, container truck and other articulated vehicles.
Toll for each medium truck below two axles, trucker and trailer has been set Tk 375, for bus Tk 340, and for three-tonne mini truck Tk 280.
According to the SRO, issued on March 4, toll for each private car has been fixed Tk 95, motorcycle Tk 20, and motorised three- and four-wheelers Tk 40, and rickshaw van-like vehicles Tk 10.
Toll for minibus and coaster has been set Tk 190, microbus and four-wheel vehicles Tk 150, and vehicles used for agriculture purposes Tk 225.
The RHD, the executing agency of the Tk 14.48-billion bridge project, has been constructing the Payra Bridge or Lebukhali Bridge to connect Dhaka and southern region. The bridge, after completion, will make the Dhaka-Mawa-Faridpur-Barisal-Patuakhali highway free from ferry services. The RHD officials also said 90 per cent construction of the bridge has been completed.
