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Construction works of the much-awaited Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the first under-river tunnel in South Asia, are nearing completion as 97.5 per cent overall progress of the tunnel has been finished so far.
"We have completed 99.5 per cent works of the main tunnel and the overall progress of the project construction work is 97.5 per cent. Now, the finishing touch is underway to ensure the safety and security of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel," Project Director (PD) Md Harunur Rashid Chowdhury told news agency BSS.
He said the tunnel -- will actually turn Chattogram into "one city with two towns" -- is being constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River and it is expected to be opened for vehicular movement in September this year.
Earlier, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader at a function said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel.
According to the project details, the multilane tunnel will directly connect the Chattogam Port with Anwara upazila, which will directly connect Cox's Bazar with Chattogram.
The project director said construction works of the cross passage and tunnel related to the toll plaza have been completed. He hoped that the construction works of the tunnel will be finished within the stipulated time.
Earlier, President of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mahbubul Alam told BSS that the tunnel will unlock a new epoch in the history of the communication systems in the region.
"Once the tunnel is opened, it will be a game changer for the southeast region of Bangladesh, presenting a solution to connectivity issues to the rest of the country," he said.
The tunnel will also ease traffic congestion on two bridges, including Shah Amanat Bridge, over the Karnaphuli River.
The construction works of the drainage system and installation of pumps have also been completed, the sources said.
According to the project detail, two tubes, each 35 feet wide and 16 feet high have been constructed within an 11-metre gap so that heavy vehicles can pass through the tunnel easily.
The length of the under-construction tunnel will be 3.40 kilometres with an approach road of 5.35 kilometres alongside a 740-metre bridge linking the main city, port and Western side of the river with its Eastern side.
As part of the project, bridges, totalling 740 metres in length have been built, linking the main port city and western side of Karnaphuli River with the heavily industrializing eastern side of the river and Anwara upazila.
The tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway with Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway along with reducing the distance from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar by 40 km. Vehicles in this tunnel will run at a speed of 80 km per hour, according to the project details.
Bangabandhu Tunnel is being built at a cost of Taka 103.74 billion The tunnel project is being implemented with joint funding from the governments of Bangladesh and China. The Exim Bank of China is giving a loan of Taka 59.13 billion with a two per cent interest rate while the Bangladesh government is funding the remaining portion.