The country’s first-ever multi-lane underwater passage will be opened to traffic this year as work on the dream project nears completion.
Sources said Bangabandhu tunnel was scheduled to be opened in December last year. But the authorities have deferred the schedule for this March.
Project director Harunur Rashid said, “Work on the building of the tunnel is almost completed. We’re doing the finishing work and checking safety system now.”
The construction work is 99 per cent done. The approach road has already been built.
“Upon full completion of the work, we’ll go for a test run through the tunnel before its formal opening to traffic,” cited Mr Rashid.
Sources said the total length of the tunnel will be 9.092 kilometre, including the 3.40-kilometre underwater part.
It has a 4.89-kilometre approach road alongside 740-metre bridges linking the main port city and western side of the Karnaphuli along with the heavy industry-prone eastern side of the river.
The tunnel will directly connect Chattogram port and south Chattogram, particularly Anwara upazila, and is expected to make communication between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar easier.
It will also ease congestion on two bridges over the Karnaphuli.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the excavation work under the river on 24 February 2019.
At a cabinet meeting, deputy minister of education barrister Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury proposed to name the tunnel after Bangabandhu.
The PM and others agreed with the proposal.
According to sources, the tunnel is being built at Tk 10,374 crore, co-funded by the governments of Bangladesh and China.
