The Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system on the Padma Bridge has surpassed Tk 10 crore in toll collections.
At the same time, more than 1,000 vehicles have been registered since the cashless service was introduced, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority said on Monday.
According to the authority, the digital tolling system has collected Tk 10,08,24,600 as of Sunday, crossing the Tk 10-crore milestone. A total of 1,008 vehicles including long-distance buses, commercial trucks and private cars, have been registered under the ETC programme, with 56,406 vehicles using the electronic payment system to cross the bridge so far.
The authority said the nationwide push for cashless toll collection has gained momentum following an announcement by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The initiative seeks to replace manual toll collection with a unified digital payment system across the country.
Bridges Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf described the latest figures as a significant step towards modernising the country`s transport sector.
He said the achievement reflects growing public confidence in the ETC system and thanked officials, technical partners, transport owners` associations and bridge users for supporting the initiative.
To make toll payments more convenient, motorists can now pay electronically through mobile financial service platforms, including Tap, bKash, Nagad and Upay, as well as the mobile banking apps of several commercial banks.
The service is currently available through Trust Bank`s TAP, Midland Bank, NCC Bank, Prime Bank and Mutual Trust Bank applications.
Vehicle owners can register by selecting the "Motor Vehicle Registration" option under "D-Toll" in a supported app, entering the vehicle registration number and the last four digits of the chassis number. They can then add funds through the "D-Toll Top-Up" service.
For first-time users, verification of the BRTA-issued RFID tag is required at the registration booth near the Mawa toll plaza or at the toll booth. Once verified, the same RFID tag can be used to cross the bridge through the ETC lane without obtaining a separate tag.
The authority said several transport operators serving the country`s south-western region including Emad Paribahan, Dola Paribahan, Sarbik Paribahan and Golden Line Paribahan have already adopted the system alongside many commercial and private vehicle owners.
Vehicles using the ETC lane can pass through the toll plaza without stopping, with tolls deducted automatically while travelling at around 60 kilometres per hour. The authority said the system has eliminated waiting times at toll booths, eased congestion during peak travel periods such as Eid, reduced fuel consumption and lowered carbon emissions.
The Bridge Authority said it plans to expand the cashless ETC system to other major bridges, expressways and tunnels as part of efforts to fully automate toll collection nationwide.
It also encouraged transport owners and drivers to register their vehicles to help accelerate the transition to modern digital road services.
-20260720043233.jpg)
