The long-cherished Padma Bridge will be opened to traffic in June this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader reiterated on Thursday.

The date of inauguration of Padma Bridge has not been postponed and it will be opened to traffic in June, he told reporters after exchanging Eid greetings with the leaders and workers at his Companiganj village home in Noakhali.

About BNP's movement, Quader said BNP called for movement 26 times in the last 13 years and they had failed to carry on. "Which year will we see the BNP's movement?"

Meanwhile, Quader, also the Awami League general secretary has been awarded 'Bir 71'.

On the occasion of the golden jubilee of independence, his younger brother Abdul Quader Mirza, mayor of Basurhat municipality, handed over the 'Bir 71' honorary medal to Obaidul Quader.

About visiting his home constituency after a long time, Quader said, "My relationship with this area has never been severed. I've provided oxygen concentrators, food and relief and established ICUs here."