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.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
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.
