The Padma Bridge is not just a concrete structure, it also symbolises the nation’s pride, honour and ability, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.

“We will not bow to anybody.”

The long-awaited inauguration of the Padma bridge yesterday was cheered at home and abroad, in a rare unifying moment for the country.

The Padma Bridge will boost inclusive economic growth and reduce poverty in Bangladesh, Mercy Tembon, World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said yesterday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today initiated the process of paying toll to cross the much-awaited Padma Multipurpose Bridge, soon after opening the bridge.

One afternoon in October 2011, Md Shafiqul Islam, then an additional chief engineer at the Roads and Highways Department, was tensely pacing the corridors of the erstwhile communications ministry, contemplating joining the Padma bridge project.

There are some epic moments that make a nation proud.

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) has closed the ferry crossing on the Shimulia waterway in Munshiganj and Majhikandi in Shariatpur on the occasion of the Padma Bridge inauguration.

Borrowing from the title of the second volume of Winston Churchill’s six-part history of the Second World War, I would like to term the completion of the Padma Bridge as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “finest hour”.

The people of the country’s southern districts are elated over the inauguration of the Padma Bridge today.

This is a dream bridge which will not only establish the long-awaited direct road and rail communications between the capital and south-western parts of Bangladesh but also contribute to greater connectivity and trade among Asian countries.

The long-cherished Padma Bridge is now ready to be inaugurated as the contractor formally handed over the bridge to the project authorities.  

Although the demand for railway tickets on the Dhaka-Chattogram route has been increasing every year, the Bangladesh Railway (BR) authorities could not add a single passenger train to the country’s most important route in the last seven years.

A 3-kilometre-long tailback was created on Dhaka-Aricha highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on the road.

No toll will be collected from major bridges in the country’s southwestern region on June 25, to facilitate Padma Bridge opening, authorities announced today.

Train services from Mohanganj in Netrokona to the entire country resumed today after five days as railway bridge damaged by floodwater was repaired.

Vikram Kumar Doraiswami, Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh, said the Padma Bridge will contribute to greater connectivity between Bangladesh and India and in the sub-region supporting the BBIN initiative.

Describing the Padma Bridge as the symbol of national pride, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said no one can raise questions about the quality of the bridge which opens on Saturday.

Bangladesh Railway (BR) yesterday launched the mobile app “Rail Sheba” to provide online-ticketing services.

The Korea Expressway Corporation (KEC) has been given charge of collecting tolls on the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway-- officially known as Jatir Pita Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Highway.