National
Toll rates sets for Karnaphuli tunnel
The toll rates for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, constructed beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong, have been finalized. The bridges division recently issued a notification outlining the toll rates based on vehicle categories. The toll charges will be applicable once the tunnel is officially opened, although the opening date has yet to be determined.
According to the notification, a total of 12 vehicle types will be subject to toll fees at the Bangabandhu Tunnel. Private cars and pick-up trucks, categorized as the lowest class, will be charged a minimum toll of Tk 200 for traversing the 3.43-km-long tunnel. Microbuses will pay Tk 250, while buses with less than 31 seats will be charged Tk 300. Buses with 32 or more seats will incur a toll of Tk 400, and larger buses with 3XL will pay Tk 500. Trucks carrying loads up to five tonnes will be charged Tk 400, while those with eight and eleven-tonne capacities will pay Tk 500 and Tk 600, respectively. Toll fees for 3XL and 4XL trailers have been set at Tk 800 and Tk 1,000, with an additional Tk 200 for each additional XL. Notably, motorcycles will not be permitted to use the Karnaphuli tunnel, as per the notification.
Comparatively, drivers will need to pay considerably higher toll fees when crossing the Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Bridge. The toll rates for private cars and buses with less than 31 seats on the Shah Amanat Bridge are Tk 75 and Tk 50, respectively, while buses crossing the tunnel will have to pay Tk 300.
Based on a feasibility study conducted for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, it is projected that upon its operational commencement, an average of 28,305 vehicles will traverse the tunnel daily by the year 2025. The study further estimates an increase to 37,946 vehicles by 2030 and sets a target of 162,000 vehicles per day by 2067.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
