Toll collection of renovated Kalurghat Bridge begins
Chattogram City Correspondent
Toll collection for vehicles crossing the 94-year-old and risky Kalurghat Bridge in Chattogram begins on Wednesday.
Following the extensive renovations, the bridge has been strengthened and given a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. To ensure its maintenance, Bangladesh Railway has now initiated a toll leasing system.
In the tender called last December, Mawa Enterprise secured the lease for one year with the highest bid of Tk 6.5 crore, surpassing the government's base price of Tk 3.87 crore. The company has paid the full lease amount, including 15% VAT, 5% income tax, and a bank guarantee. This afternoon, the railway authorities will hand over the bridge to the lessee, and toll collection will commence immediately afterward.
The toll rates have been set as follows: Tk 100 for buses, Tk 150 for trucks, Tk 60 for microbuses, Tk 50 for private cars and jeeps, Tk 20 for CNG-run auto-rickshaws, and Tk 20 for motorcycles.
The 14-month-long renovation project cost Tk 43 crore. Experts from BUET supervised the work to enhance the bridge’s durability. For the first time, a walkway for pedestrians has been constructed, adding a new feature for local Chattogram City.
