The Bangabandhu Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge recorded its highest-ever toll collection in a single day, amassing over Tk 4.1 crore in the 24 hours leading up to midnight on Thursday (June 5).

According to the Jamuna Bridge authority, a total of 64,283 vehicles crossed the bridge during this period — the highest daily traffic since the bridge was inaugurated 27 years ago. A toll of Tk 4,10,40,950 was collected.

Of this, Tk 2,42,30,700 was collected against 43,003 vehicles at the eastern toll plaza (North Bengal-bound lane). On the other hand, the rest of amount was collected against 21,280 vehicles at the western toll plaza.

This is the highest number of vehicles crossing and toll collection in the history of this bridge, according to relevant sources. Previously, the highest toll collection was Tk 3,80,63,400 on June 14, 2024.

This surge in traffic comes ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha holidays, as thousands of people from northern districts travel home from Dhaka and other parts of the country to celebrate the religious festival with their families. 

The volume of vehicles — including buses, trucks, pickup vans, private cars, microbuses, and motorcycles — has placed immense pressure on the vital bridge that links the capital with northern Bangladesh.

To manage the Eid rush, authorities have installed three additional booths at each end of the bridge, bringing the total number of toll collection booths to 18. Four additional booths have also been designated specifically for motorcycles.

Opened to traffic in 1998, the Jamuna Bridge remains one of the country’s most critical infrastructure links between the eastern and western regions, and a key artery during national holidays when travel volumes spike dramatically.

SMS/