UNB, Dhaka: The Bridges Division today paid Tk 316.02 crore as the third and fourth instalments of the loan taken for the construction of Padma Bridge.

Manjur Hossain, secretary of the Bridges Division, handed over a cheque of Tk 316,02,69,093 to the senior secretary of Finance Division around 10:00am in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said a press release of road transport and bridges ministry.

Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader, cabinet members, secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister were also present at that time.

The bridges division has now paid a total of Tk 632,93,66,142 to the government in installments.

On April 5, the bridges division began the repayment of the loan with Tk 316,90,97,049 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge.

The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

In line with a revised agreement with the finance division on 26 July 2022, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) will repay the loan in 35 years through 140 installments (four installments each year). The repayment will continue up to the fiscal year 2056-57.

The authority collected tolls worth Tk 779,75,87,000 from the bridge till June 18,2023.