Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday received over Tk314 crore as the seventh and eighth instalments of loan repayment taken for the construction of the Padma Bridge.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Tk314,64,86,963 to the prime minister at a programme at Ganabhaban in Dhaka, reports BSS.
PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah, PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin, PM's Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan, Finance Division Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, and other high officials were present at the programme.
With the latest instalments, the Bridges Division has so far paid a total of Tk1262,66,06,548 to the government.
On 5 April, the Bridges Division began the repayment of the loan with Tk316,90,97,050 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge as the first and second instalments.
A total of Tk1653,71,65,550 was collected in toll from the Padma Bridge from its operation on 25 June 2022 to 26 June 2024.
The Padma Bridge was built with its own finance at a cost of over Tk32,605.52 crore.
The loan was taken from the Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
On 25 June 2022, the prime minister opened the country's largest bridge (6.15km) over the mighty river Padma.
Bd pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
