Country's first-ever river tunnel ready for vehicular movement

The country's first-ever river tunnel named 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' is ready for vehicular movement as its construction work has been completed fully.

The authorities have set October 28 this year for inaugurating the tunnel under the Karnaphuli River.

Project Director Harunur Rashid said, "100 per cent construction work of the tunnel has been completed and now we are checking the safety system."

He added, "Along with the completion of the construction work of the Karnaphuli tunnel project, construction work of the approach road has also been completed."

"After the completion of the total work, other issues including driving through the tunnel will be checked and then it will be opened for traffic," he continued.

He said, "Construction work of the cross passage and tunnel related to the toll plaza has also been completed. Mechanical, electrical and civil works of the tunnel have also been finished."

"Besides, two tubes have already been constructed within an 11-metre gap so that heavy vehicles can pass through the tunnel easily. We have completed the excavation work. Now roads are being constructed using tubes," he said.

He said, "The government has taken a decision for opening the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel on October 28 this year."

The total length of the tunnel is around 9.092 kilometres including 3.40 kilometres under the Karnaphuli River with an approach road of 4.89 kilometres alongside 740 metres of bridges linking the main port city and western side of the Karnaphuli along with the heavily industry-prone eastern side of the river.

The multilane 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel 'will directly connect Chittagong port and South Chattogram particularly the Anwara upazila and is expected to make communication between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar easier.

The tunnel will also ease traffic congestion on two bridges over the Karnaphuli.

It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the excavation work for the tunnel under the Karnaphuli on February 24, 2019.

Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury in a cabinet meeting proposed to name the first-ever tunnel in the country as Bangabandhu Tunnel and the cabinet as well as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina approved the proposal.

According to sources, the total construction expenditure of the tunnel project was Tk84.46 billion (Tk8446.64 crore or $105.58 crore) while China provided Tk 55.05 billion (Tk 5,505 crore or $70.59 crore) and the rest of the amount was provided by the Bangladesh government.

[email protected]