Chattogram’s highly anticipated infrastructure marvel, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, is on the verge of completion with 98 percent of its construction work finished. The project director, Md Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, revealed that the remaining two percent will be swiftly completed as workers and engineers are working tirelessly round the clock. The grand inauguration is expected to be graced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in September. The tunnel, a crucial element in transforming Chattogram into “one city with two towns,” runs beneath the Karnaphuli River and will be open to vehicular traffic from September onwards.
The tunnel, boasting multiple lanes, will directly link the Chattogram Port to Anwara upazila, creating a seamless connection between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. The twin tubes, constructed 11 meters apart, ensure convenient passage for heavy vehicles. The impressive 3.40-kilometer-long tunnel is complemented by a 5.35-kilometer-long approach road and a 740-meter bridge, connecting the bustling city, port, and the western side of the river with its industrializing eastern side and Anwara upazila.
The tunnel’s significance lies in its role in the Asian Highway and Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox’sBazar Highway, considerably reducing the distance by 40 kilometers and allowing vehicles to cruise at 80 kilometers per hour. With a total cost of Tk 10,374 crore, the project is jointly funded by the governments of Bangladesh and China, with the China Communications Construction Company Ltd serving as the contractor. The Exim Bank of China provides a loan of Tk 5,913 crore at a nominal two percent interest, while the Bangladesh government funds the remaining portion.
Business leaders anticipate the tunnel to be a game-changer for the southeastern region of Bangladesh, solving connectivity issues and fostering economic growth. As the project nears its completion date, excitement grows for the transformation it will bring to Chattogram and the greater region. The tunnel’s inauguration is eagerly awaited by the nation, as it represents a testament to Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure and facilitating smoother transportation networks for the benefit of its citizens.
