DHAKA, Dec 18, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today received over TK 315 crore of 5th and 6th installments of loan taken for the construction of the Padma Bridge.

 "Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader handed over a cheque of Tk 315,07,53,442 to the premier as 5th and 6th installments of loan for Padma Bridge," PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said in a media briefing.

PM's Ambassador-at-Large M Ziauddin, PM'S Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Finance Division Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Bridges Division Secretary M Monjur Hossain and high officials of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), bridge and finance divisions were present at the check hand over function at the premier's Ganabhaban residence here.

With fifth and sixth installments, the bridges division has so far paid a total of Tk 948, 01,19,585 to the government through six installments.

On April 5, the bridges division began the repayment of the loan with Tk 316,90,97,050 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the Bridge as the first and second installments.

The Padma Bridge was built with own finance at a cost of over Taka 32,605 crore.

On June 19 this year, the Bridges Division paid Tk 316,02,69093 as the third and fourth installments.

The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country's largest bridge - 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River.