Md. Masud Khan, Munshiganj (South) 

The entire Padma Bridge is now under CCTV camera surveillance. 

This has made round-the-clock monitoring of traffic and safety on the bridge much easier. In case of accidents or breakdowns, identifying the location of the vehicle on the bridge and taking immediate action has become more efficient.

 A total of 133 cameras have been installed across the Padma Bridge and from Mawa to Pachchar on the approach roads. Commuters believe that security has improved since the entire bridge came under CCTV coverage.

Four types of cameras have been installed at specific intervals across the bridge. These cameras can automatically zoom as needed. Four personnel monitor the footage continuously from the Mawa-end control center and dispatch patrol teams to specific locations as required. This CCTV installation marks the technological completion of the Padma Bridge.

Like the maximum speed limits on expressways on both sides, the maximum vehicle speed on the Padma Bridge has been increased to 80 kilometers per hour. These cameras are also playing a vital role in speed control and traffic law enforcement.

With the help of these cameras, the exact location of vehicles that break down or are involved in accidents can now be identified instantly. This has also reduced the risk of crimes such as robbery in this section. As a result, thousands of vehicles are now crossing the Padma Bridge day and night with ease.

Altaf Hossain Sheikh, Director (Administration) of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) and Joint Secretary, said:

“From the monitoring room, we can monitor the entire bridge, both service lanes on either side, and the two toll plazas remotely. We can do this from the bridge area as well as from our BBA headquarters in the Bridge Bhaban. So, if any accident occurs, we can immediately dispatch our monitoring or rescue team. The entire area is under this camera system. Therefore, if someone tries to do anything wrong, we can detect it right away.”

Engineers have stated that these high-power CCTV cameras can rotate 360 degrees. Even when zoomed in, the images remain sharp. The weather system is automatically indicated, so there is no need for a separate weather station. These cameras can even display weather conditions, temperature, and visibility during heavy fog.

Abu Sayad, Executive Engineer (Toll, Bridge & BEF) of Padma Bridge, said:
“Our separate surveillance team monitors everything moment to moment through the cameras. If rescue is needed, we handle it through our patrol team.”

Additional Director of the Padma Bridge Project, Sheikh Ishtiaque Ahmed, said:
“We have a very nice system on the Padma Bridge, which we call the ITS system—Intelligent Transport System. It's very advanced. Across the total bridge and the approach from Mawa to Pachchar, we have 133 cameras. Many systems are integrated into this, including a video system, vehicle detection system, and RWIS.

Through this, if any incident or accident occurs on the bridge, we can automatically detect it and take necessary action. One of the best features of ITS is the RWIS—Road Weather and Information System. It tells us the temperature and visibility at various piers on the bridge, especially useful in winter when there is heavy fog.

If visibility falls below 40 meters or even less, we do not allow vehicles to move.”

A total of 133 cameras have been installed across the Padma Bridge and from Mawa to Pachchar on the approach roads. From the Padma Bridge Traffic Monitoring Center, the movement and safety of vehicles on the bridge are monitored 24/7 through CCTV cameras.