FE Today Logo

Govt to get back loan money for Padma Bridge by 2057: JS told

June 28, 2022 00:00:00


Road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader on Monday said the loans taken for the construction of Padma Bridge would be repaid by 2057 through collecting tolls, reports UNB.

The Minister said this while replying to a tabled question.

"Bangladesh Bridge Authority will repay all the loans given by the government in 140 quarterly installments in 35 years with the toll collected from vehicles plying on the Padma Bridge," he said.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 6.15 kilometers Padma Bridge on June 25 connecting south-western districts with Dhaka.

Besides, in response to another question, railway minister Nurul Islam Sujan said that the cost per passenger per kilometer of the railway is Tk 2.43 and the income is Tk 0.82.

On the other hand, the cost per tonne of transporting goods is Tk 7.94 per tonne and the income is Tk 3.18.

The minister presented the revenue and expenditure information on the basis of the railway costing profile prepared for the 2016-17 financial year.

He presented the revenue figures of Railways for the last 5 years (FY 2016-17 to FY 2020-21).

According to the information of the minister, in 5 years it has carried 361.7 million passengers and 28 million tonnes of cargo.

At this time the income of the railway has been Tk 68 million, the minister said.

He said that passenger transport is increasing day by day as the country's largest public transport railway is a safe and comfortable vehicle.


Share if you like