Nearly 96.5 percent of the overall construction work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli river has been completed and the tunnel will be opened to traffic after its inauguration soon.
Project Director of Bangabandhu Tunnel Harunur Rashid Chowdhury said, “The duration of the project has been extended till next December for auxiliary execution. At present, 96.5 percent of the tunnel work has been completed. We expect the construction of a significant portion of this tunnel will be completed by April 5. It will take some time to open it officially. We have to carry out pre-commissioning, commissioning and several stages of trials in preparation for the commissioning of the tunnel.”
He said, “It will be officially opened only after these work are completed. Now security safety work is going on. A number of auxiliary work including construction of fire station, staff quarters are going on at both ends of the tunnel. In order to complete these work, the project time has been extended till next December in the ECNEC meeting on January 17. At present the cost of the project stands at Tk 10 thousand 374 crore and 42 lakh. The road connectivity of Patenga section and southern section has been completed for vehicular movement.”
Mentionable, if the Bangabandhu Tunnel is opened, the distance between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar will be reduced by 40 km. There will be a radical change in the communication system and a great development in the industry and economy of the two parts of the river including the port. It has the potential to increase domestic and foreign investment.