Electronic Toll Collection System (ETCS) was launched on trial basis on the Padma Bridge on Wednesday.

Total 14 booths out of 17 have been brought under the automatic toll collection system.

Besides, Padma Bridge traffic monitoring center was launched at Mawa end to monitor the traffic movement on the bridge.

The Radio Frequency Identification -RFID method created the opportunity to collect toll while vehicles are running. As soon as the registered vehicle comes in front of the toll plaza, the scanner from booth number-1 identifies the vehicle.

Secretary of the Bridges Division Md Monjur Hossain crossed the toll plaza by paying toll in the new smart way around 10:30 am.

Md Monjur Hossain said, “Two booths have been added on both sides as smart toll collection has started on trial basis. So now 17 toll booths will remain open at the entrance on both sides of the bridge where 14 toll booths will work under the electronic toll collection system.”

An ETCS registration booth has been set up on the east side of Padma Bridge Uttar police station at Mawa end.

Once this system is fully implemented, vehicles will not have to wait for a long time and toll plazas will be free from traffic congestion.

Toll will be collected manually from motorcycles in three booths- no-8 of Mawa end and no-8 and no-9 of Zajira end of the bridge.