Bangabandhu Tunnel undergoes successful test run ahead of inauguration

The Bangabandhu Tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has undergone a successful test run ahead of its inauguration.

Project Director Harun-Ur Rashid said the special trial run on Monday was in emergency mode involving the Fire Service and Civil Defence, the Navy and police after several test runs in normal mode, reports bdnews24.com.

An observatory team was set up to examine the tunnel’s fire extinguishing system, security, vehicle management in case of an accident, toll collection, and emergency evacuation systems.

Bridges Secretary Manjur Hossain, other senior officials and former cabinet secretary Khandkar Anwarul Islam were present during the event.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Bangabandhu Tunnel on Oct 28 and it will be open to the public from Oct 29.

Abdur Razzak, a deputy assistant director of the fire service, said they conducted fire drills on how to put out fire and carry out rescue operations in case of any kind of fire or accident in the tunnel.

“The tunnel has a good fire extinguishing system. We have hydrants with hose reels placed every 50 metres on the tunnel. Next to each hydrant is a call point, from where the tunnel users can call the management to inform them about any needs.”

In case of a fire hazard, the passengers will be able to move easily, said Razzak. “The two tubes of the tunnel have manholes. You can lift the cover and cross the lower walkway to another tube.”

Large exhaust fans have been installed on both sides of the tube to let smoke out."

A wrecker van used by the authorities will be on stand-by if a vehicle meets an accident. As each of the tubes is a double lane, there will be no issue conducting such evacuations, said Razzak.

Two fire stations are being built at Patenga and Anwara ends of the tunnel. Twenty-five personnel from five teams of Agrabad and Karnaphuli fire stations and police also took part in the trial run on Monday.

AS Mahtab Uddin, an additional commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, said they joined the trial run to test security during and after the inauguration.

"From today’s trial run, we know what immediate action should be taken if anything happens during traffic."

The Bangabandhu Tunnel has been built on a ‘one city two towns’ model. The government plans to connect it to the Asian Highway in the future.