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Bangabandhu Tunnel Nears Completion: Final Touches Underway for Inauguration
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.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
