The Padma Bridge was opened for vehicular movement
from 6am today.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveiled the plaque of the 6.15 kilometre Padma
Bridge at 12 noon yesterday at Mawa end in Munsiganj at a colourful ceremony where
thousands of distinguished guests, including foreign diplomats, were present.
The Premier paid toll as the first traveller and enjoyed an aerial show
staged by the Bangladesh Air Force turning the skyline above the Padma Bridge
into a virtual rainbow at the midpoint of the bridge.
Later, the enthusiastic people gathered at the bridge site were allowed to
walk along the bridge of their long-cherished dream for the first as well as
the last time, since the structure is prohibited for the walking people
beyond the viaduct point due to security reasons.
The state-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) is supposed to launch
buses on 23 routes, including two old ones, in the southwest via the Padma
Bridge.
Besides, different private transport companies are also set to launch AC and
non-AC buses on the routes.