Staff correspondent :

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said BNP’s public support has declined to 10 percent due to its constant negative politics.”It should be thought whether BNP’s public support has declined to 10 percent due to its negative politics,” he told a press briefing at Setu Bhaban here, marking the first anniversary of the opening of Padma Bridge.Responding to a question, Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said the Padma Bridge thwarted the BNP’s 14-year movement.He said the Padma Bridge, a symbol of Bangladesh’s capability, has expanded the horizon of its economic prospect.After the inauguration of the bridge, he said, new horizon of communication opened up in the country’s south-western regime. The road transport and bridges minister said a total of 56.75 lakh vehicles ran on the Padma Bridge till June 24 this year, while on average, about 15,000 vehicles ply over the bridge per day.He said about Taka 2.18 crore toll is being collected, on average, from the Padma Bridge per day.Taka 798.23 crore of toll was collected from the bridge till midnight of June 24 this year (yesterday), while it is expected that Taka 800 crore would be collected till afternoon today, Quader said.He said the cost of Padma Bridge must be paid to the Bangladesh government within next 35 years. “But, Taka 632.98 crore has already been deposited to the government exchequer,” he added.Terming Padma Bridge a national asset, the minister urged all to be careful in protecting the bridge.Bridges Division Secretary Monjur Hossain and project director of Padma Bridge Project Shafiqul Islam were, among others, present.

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