Can bikers use Padma Bridge on Eid?

Motorcycles can be used on other bridges of the country including Bangabandhu Bridge, but it is prohibited on Padma Bridge. This bridge, which has established a milestone in the southern part of the country's transport system, has been closed for bike riders for more than eight months. This is the first Eid-ul-Fitr after the opening of the bridge.

With the release of the draft motorcycle riding policy, a common question among the bikers is — what will happen to them on their first Eid trip through the Padma Bridge? Why will there be a ban on the Padma Bridge even if you travel through other bridges?

It is heard from bridge authority sources that motorcycle movement has been banned on Padma Bridge to avoid accidents and to keep the bridge safe. In the last 8 months there was no discussion about allowing the vehicle to ply through the bridge. There is little chance of a new decision coming soon. As a result, there is a high possibility that the current order will remain in place for this Eid Jatra — motorcycles will not be allowed to travel.

However, on condition of anonymity, an engineer of the bridge authority said that they are making preparations to allow the movement of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge. The related documents are being prepared and sent to the higher levels of the government. Motorcycles can run on Padma Bridge before Eid-ul-Fitr if permission is granted. The engineer said that motorcycles will move through two separate lanes on both ends of the bridge.

The engineer of the authority also told that a meeting was held last week at Jazeera's Sheikh Rasel cantonment regarding the safety of the bridge. Bridge authorities, army, police and local administration officials were present in that meeting. The meeting discussed the movement of motorcycles on the bridge. But no decision was made. Considering all aspects, it was decided to present the matter of motorcycle movement on the bridge to the highest level of the government in writing.

That means we have to wait for some more time to know the final decision. However, we hope that the government and the bridge authorities will take a positive decision for the bikers considering the travel condition.

Padma Bridge is one of the sensitive structures in Bangladesh, so the government of Bangladesh is serious about the safety of this bridge, and it is indicated that the authorities will give permission to use Padma Bridge subject to conditions to save people from harassment during the Eid journey we hope.