Drop in vehicles after motorcycle restriction

About 15,000 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge on the second day, a steep drop from the first, largely due to a ban on motorcycles, report agencies.
"Seventy-five per cent of the vehicles that crossed on the first day were motorcycles. As motorcycles were barred yesterday, the number fell," said Tofazzal Hossain, an engineer at the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
The government raked in about Tk 27.5 million in tolls from 61,000 vehicles in the first 24 hours after the bridge opened.
"About 15,000 vehicles crossed the Padma Bridge on the second day, between 6 am on Monday and 6 am on Tuesday," said Tofazzal. "We took in nearly Tk 20 million in tolls during that time."
"In the second 24-hour period, 15,400 vehicles crossed the bridge," said another bridge authority official. "A little over Tk 19.8 million was collected."
The Padma Bridge opened to traffic on Sunday after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated it on Sunday.
Thousands flocked to the mega-structure on the first day to catch a glimpse. Most of the traffic was on motorcycles, but there were cars, buses and trucks too.
Two men died in a motorcycle accident on the bridge on Sunday night. In order to avoid congestion and reduce risk, the bridge authority closed it to motorcycles until further notice.
Meanwhile, another report adds: Ferries from Mawa terminal will operate as per people's demand, said State Minister for shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday.
"We did not stop ferry services in the Padma River after the opening of the Padma Bridge as currently six ferries are operating on the route. As per the government decision the ferry operation will continue," he said.
The minister said these while talking to reporters after attending an award giving ceremony at the ministry.
Talking about the ban on plying of motorbikes on the Padma Bridge, Khalid said the government banned plying of motorbikes on the Padma Bridge temporarily and decision will be taken in this regard after installation of speed gun and CCTV on the bridge.
Talking about the removal of nuts from the Padma Bridge by a person, Khalid said it was the ornament of the Padma Bridge and someone attempted to snatch it.
Referring to the development of river routes across the country, the state minister said, "We are taking initiatives keeping the development of river routes in mind and the bridges are being constructed without hampering navigability of rivers."