Mobile court raids on Padma Bridge from today

A mobile court will conduct drive on Padma bridge from this morning amid reports of people harming the mega structure hours after it was opened for public use on Sunday morning.

"Apart from this, Bangladesh Army personnel will also be on patrol on the bridge. Strict action will be taken against those who will stop vehicles and get down on the bridge. The vehicle will be seized," said Manzur Hossain, secretary of Bridge Division.

Meanwhile, the government has banned plying of motorcycles on the Padma Bridge until further notice.

The ban imposed by the Bridge Division under the Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges, will be effective from 6am today.

Regarding the ban of motorcycles on the bridge, he said the decision has been taken considering the safety of passengers and the bridge.

According to the Bridge Division and project sources, more than 15,000 vehicles crossed the bridge in the first eight hours. Of them, more than 60% were motorcycles.

The government announced that stopping vehicles, walking and taking pictures on the Padma Bridge are completely prohibited and punishable offenses.

Media reports suggest vehicle were not maintaining rules and trying to cross each other haphazardly in front of the toll plazas -motorcyclists being some of the worst offenders in this regard.

Army personnel were finding it difficult to maintain discipline due to the unruly behaviour of the vehicle drivers and motorbikes.

Earlier on Sunday, a youth was arrested today for allegedly removing nuts and bolts from the railing of Padma Bridge.