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 International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has received five fresh complaints of murder, genocide and crimes against humanity against a total of 228 people including ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Confirming the matter to BSS, ICT prosecutor Gazi MH Tamim said the complaints were filed with the office of the chief prosecutor on Sunday.
Charges were brought against Sheikh Hasina and 64 others over the killings of college students Nure Alam Siddique Rakib and Zubayer on the Mymensingh-Kishoreganj Highway on July 20. Rakib’s father Abdul Halim and Zubayer’s father Anwar Uddin filed the complaint yesterday.
Sheikh Hasina and 27 others were accused of the killing of Maruf Hossain in front of BRAC University in the capital’s Badda area on July 19. Maruf’s father Mohammad Idris filed the complaint.
One Shafikul Islam Sarkar filed the third complaint against Sheikh Hasina and other unnamed accused over the killing of his son Faisal Sarkar on July 19 in Uttara Abdullahpur area.
Hasina was accused along with 75 others in another complaint filed over the killing of Mahfuzur Rahman, 25, in Mirpur-10 intersection area on July 19. Mahfuzur’s father Abdul Mannan filed the complaint.
One Mohammad Amanullah filed another complaint against ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and 57 others over the killing of his son Samiu Aman Nur, 13, in Uttara Azampur Footover Bridge area on August 5.
The holy Eid-e-Miladunnabi, commemorating the birth and demise of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), is being observed across Bangladesh today with profound religious reverence. The observance was confirmed during the National Moon Sighting Committee’s meeting on September 4, held at the Islamic Foundation’s Conference Room in Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Md Abdul Hamid Jamaddar, as announced in a press release.
The committee confirmed that the moon of Rabiul Awal 1446 Hijri was sighted in the sky of Bangladesh on September 4, marking the beginning of the holy month of Rabiul Awal from September 5 (Thursday).
On this day in 570, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, bringing divine blessings and messages of peace to humanity. He passed away on the same date, 12th Rabiul Awal, of the Hijri calendar.
In honor of the occasion, President Mohammed Shahabuddin and the Chief Adviser to the interim government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, issued separate messages, extending greetings to the people of Bangladesh and Muslims worldwide.
To mark the day, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar are airing special programmes, while various national newspapers have published supplements underscoring the significance of the event. The day is also observed as a public holiday throughout the country.
In a meeting held on Saturday (14 September), garment factory owners across the country unanimously agreed to resume operations starting today. However, it was also decided that individual factories may be closed according to legal procedures, in order to protect the industry and national interests, while safeguarding workers’ employment. This measure would apply particularly if workers refuse to work, leave the premises, or attempt to instigate disturbances.
The decision came during a discussion on the current crisis facing the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, held at the BGMEA complex in Uttara, Dhaka. The meeting, chaired by BGMEA president Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, was attended by key government advisers and leaders from BGMEA, BKMEA, and labor unions.
Expressing serious concern about the ongoing labor unrest, participants warned that the instability could jeopardize the vital export-oriented garment sector. The advisers urged factory owners to continue operations and assured them of government support, including enhanced security measures, should unrest arise.
