Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is all set to inaugurate the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram on Saturday (October 28), introducing a completely novel type of infrastructure for the country that promises to be a huge facilitator of trade and commerce for the Port City, as well as a potentially iconic landmark.
Following the inauguration, she'll speak at the EPZ ground in Anwara. Tomorrow (Sunday), the tunnel opens to traffic at 6 am.
The government envisions that the construction of the Bangabandhu or Karnaphuli Tunnel will shape Chattogram in the image of 'one city, two towns,' inspired by China's Shanghai.
Motorcade from PMO makes trial crossing through ‘Bangabandhu Tunnel’ in Ctg
The tunnel, dug 150 feet beneath the river’s surface, has been built by China Communication and Construction Company Limited (CCCC).
“It bridges the two banks of the Karnaphuli river and is South Asia's longest subterranean road tunnel, marking a significant milestone for Bangladesh,” Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB, while looking forward to its inauguration.
He went on to say, “This 3.31 km tunnel across the Karnaphuli river will supercharge trade and commerce, ushering in new industries and factories, while expanding import-export opportunities, and boosting the economy. Chattogram is set to prosper.”
According to the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, upwards of some 7.5 million vehicles can be expected to use the tunnel annually (around 17,260 daily), and that in itself would add an increment of 0.166 percent, or 0.2% to the country’s GDP.
Port City residents await transformative change in fortunes with Tunnel's opening
With the tunnel in play, the distance from Chattogram's city to the sea, and the airport will drastically decrease which will play a pivotal role in turbo-charging the economy. Domestic and foreign investments are already making strides in this upazila, he added.
The minister also said that the journey to Cox’s Bazar from Chattogram city, through Amanat Shah Bridge, took a considerable amount of time, but now that 80-minute trip is slashed to a mere 3 minutes via Bangabandhu Tunnel. It will save both time and money, he said.
The project director confirmed that the tunnel will be opened to the public for vehicular movement at 6am on October 29 (Sunday).
BB will release commemorative note of Tk50 to mark launch of Bangabandhu Tunnel
Project director Harunur Rashid said, “This isn't your regular bridge or small tunnel; it's a full-blown tunnel. Three-wheelers and motorcycles can't use it. We've got a control room to watch over everything. Also, the new toll rates apply from October 29,” he said.
Around 3,500 workers from both China and Bangladesh poured their sweat and effort into building South Asia's first under-river tunnel. This incredible accomplishment was only possible because of their relentless hard work and the sacrifices they made for it.
Harunur Rashid said, “While us engineers and officials steered the ship, the true driving force behind this epic journey was our hard working crew. For six long years, they've been the real stars.”
“Initially, about 2,500 workers worked here. In the end, another 700 to 800 workers from China were hired. The workers worked as and when required. On average, there were about 3,500 Chinese-Bangladeshi workers. Later it gradually decreased,” he added.
Inside the tunnel
Might the sheer novelty of the structure for a country such as Bangladesh, where no such tunnel for vehicular movement has ever been built before, be a risk, putting people off. Project director Harunur Rashid has moved to address some concerns that may arise as a result.
He has been at pains to assure people that there is ‘no chance of losing one's way’ inside the tunnel.
“The issue of safety and security has been given utmost importance. We have already rehearsed. If a bus-truck or any other vehicle breaks down or even catches fire inside the tunnel, it will be rescued within five minutes. We have all the preparations in this regard. 100 CCTV cameras are installed. All the information will reach the control room in real time,” he said.
Regarding any power outage and its consequences, he said, “Transformers and generators are in place to keep operations running smoothly. One such backup power source is the Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), which will seamlessly take over until the generator is up and running. This means that even if the power goes out while someone is inside the tunnel, they won't experience any disruption.”
Rashid also mentioned that mobile networks will be accessible throughout the tunnel, except a stretch of 500 to 600 yards with connectivity issues. Efforts are underway to resolve this concern, he said.
The Bangabandhu Tunnel comes with an assurance of a century-long service life. In the initial five years, the responsibility for its operation and maintenance will rest with China Communication Constructions Limited, who were contracted for constructing it as well.
“Simultaneously, our team of engineers and staff will undergo comprehensive training to assume control of its operation and maintenance. Our goal is to develop the expertise needed for tunnel operation and maintenance within five years,” said the PD.
At that point locals could take over tunnel management activities from the Chinese.
Who will pay for it? Toll rates
This potentially iconic piece of infrastructure did not come cheap.
The toll rates for different modes of transport were finalised by the Bridges Department of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges last August.
A total of 12 types of vehicles will be subject to toll charges when using the Bangabandhu Tunnel. The minimum toll fee has been set at Tk200, applicable to private cars. Pickup trucks will also be charged Tk200 for each crossing, while microbuses will be charged Tk250.
Private cars, jeeps, and pickups have to pay Tk 200 to pass through the tunnel. For the microbus, the rate is Tk 250. Buses with fewer than 31 seats will incur a toll of Tk300, while those with more than 32 seats will pay Tk400. Big buses with three axles will be charged a toll of Tk500.
The toll for trucks capable of carrying goods up to five tonnes has been fixed at Tk400. Eight-ton trucks will have to pay Tk500 and 11-ton trucks will have to pay Tk600.
END/UNB/M/RT/SSK