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The chief of Bangladesh's apex chamber pinned on Saturday his hope of a turnaround in business on the tunnel being built under the river Karnaphuli in Chattogram.
The president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) said, "Bangladesh is entering to the era of tunnel now. The first ever tunnel under the river Karnaphuli of the country named 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' will usher in a new era for the communication sector aiding the economy. The Dhaka-Chattogram eight-lane expressway will make the tunnel more effective."
Mahbubul Alam was addressing as chief guest a roundtable titled "Bangabandhu Tunnel: A leap towards vision 2041" arranged by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
The function was held at the Bangabandhu Hall of the World Trade Centre (WTC) of CCCI in Chattogram. The roundtable was chaired by CCCI President Omar Hazaz.
The FBCCI president said, "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is a dream project of our Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. After inauguration of the tunnel, the picture of Chattogram will change. The north and south portions of Chattogram will be connected. The tunnel will open the door for investment and trade in Chattogram. The tunnel will also gear up the economic activities of the country. A new city will be developed in the southern part of Chattogram. More industries will be set up in the KEPZ and in the exclusive Chinese economic zone at Anwara Upazila in Chattogram."
He said Chattogram would be a commercial and energy hub because of the deep-sea port at Matartbari being constructed under the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and the Matarbari Coal-based Power Plant.
"To ensure the maximum use of the tunnel, we have to build the Dhaka-Chattogram eight-lane highway," he added.
CCCI President Omar Hazaz said, "The tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway with Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway reducing the distance by 40 km. Vehicles in this tunnel will run at a speed of 80 km per hour. Vehicles coming from all over the country, including Dhaka, to Cox's Bazar, Bandarban and South Chattogram will enter the tunnel through Patenga via Chattogram Toll Road and Chattogram City Outer Ring Road. These vehicles will first reach Anwara's Chatri Chaumuhani through the connecting road."
Among others, Vice Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Engineer Dr Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of BSRM Ali Hussain Akber Ali, President of Shipping Agents Association Sayed Mohammed Arif, President of Institute of Engineers Chattogram Abdur Rashid, President of Institute of Architect Chattogram Ashiq Imran, former president of CCCI Engineer Ali Ahamed, President of Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abu Morshed Chowdhury, Member (Finance) of Chittagong Port Authority Shahidul Alam, President of Chemical Society's Chattogram Chapter Jafar Alam, and Vice President of Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CMCCI) Mahabubul Alam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion.