CID arrests youth who removed nuts, bolts of Padma Bridge

A youth who was seen in a video removing nuts and bolts from the railing of the newly-built Padma Bridge has been arrested by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police.

A 34-second long TikTok video made by the youth went viral on social media and it was observed that standing on the mega structure he was removing nuts and bolts from its railing.

A team of CID arrested Bayezid Talha, a resident of Patuakhali district, from Shantinagar area of the capital on Sunday evening.

Rezaul Masud, a special superintendent of CID shared this information while talking to journalist.

According to CID official, details in this regard can be learnt from a press conference to be held later.

Meanwhile, the Bridge Division has imposed restrictions on the movement of curious people on Padma Bridge.

It said that important goods and equipment are kept in the bridge and the toll plaza area.

Some curious people are allegedly descending on the bridge from motor vehicles and stealing these valuable goods and equipment.

In this regard, the bridge authorities have requested the Bangladesh Army personnel who are maintaining the bridge’s security, to take necessary steps so that people cannot get down on the bridge from any vehicle.

Project Director of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge Shafiqul Islam sent a letter to the Army's Engineering Support and Safety Team (EST) in this regard.

The EST has been given charge of maintaining the safety and security of the Padma Bridge project since the beginning of its construction.

In the letter, the project director said it is prohibited to get down from vehicles on the bridge. Even then, many people were getting down on the bridge and taking away valuables and equipment as well as damaging equipment from the bridge.

Therefore, the letter requested the Bangladesh Army’s team to intensify patrol on an emergency basis on the bridge.

The Bridge Division said that many construction materials are still scattered around the bridge area. The fencing around the toll plaza is yet to complete.

As a result, many were trying to enter the area from outside and taking selfies by stopping cars and motorcycles, taking pictures while lying down, and trying to climb the railing. On the other hand, the risk of accidents is increasing, it added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the mega structure on Saturday (June 25).

The Padma Bridge was opened to traffic this morning as a result many people were seen taking photos, and making TikTok videos – stopping vehicles on the bridge.