C T Online Desk: The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, running beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, is currently undergoing beautification ahead of its inauguration on October 28.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the tunnel. The premier is also scheduled to address a rally in Anwara area of Chittagong. The local Awami League has taken all-out preparations ahead of the PM’s visit to the city.
Harunur Rashid, director of the tunnel construction project, said: “The tunnel is now fully ready for vehicular movement. The vehicles have passed through it on a test basis several times already. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate this project on October 28. The tunnel will be opened for vehicular traffic the next day. Construction of some buildings in the project area remains incomplete, which will be completed by December.”
Harunur Rashid also said that more than 100 CCTV cameras have been installed for the security of the tunnel. At the same time, there will be police outposts and fire service stations on both sides. The tunnel will have round-the-clock power supply and two power sub-stations of 5MW and 10MW have been installed in the project area.
He said: “One cannot cross the tunnel on foot. Similarly, motorcycles and three-wheelers will not be allowed in the tunnel.”
This project is jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and China (G2G), at a total cost of Tk10,698 crore. The construction work for the tunnel is being carried out by the China Communication and Construction Company Limited (CCCC).
Meanwhile, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury visited the road construction work in the tunnel area on Monday. He inspected the carpeting and beautification of the road.
The Bangladesh government is implementing this project on the ‘One City Two Towns’ concept, similar to Shanghai in China, on either side of the Karnaphuli River.
Altogether 12 types of vehicles will be subject to toll charges when using the 3.43km long Bangabandhu Tunnel.
This is the first under-river tunnel in South Asia, which is expected to contribute 0.166% to the national economy through boosting employment, tourism and industrialization. The Karnaphuli Tunnel is expected to significantly improve the traffic situation in Chittagong.
