The most challenging task of the Bangabandhu Tunnel Construction Project under the bottom of the Karnaphuli River was the construction of tunnels (tubes) with Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM). Work on the first 2.45 km long tunnel of the 3.32 km long main tunnel was completed last year.

The excavation of the second tunnel has also been completed ahead of schedule. The second tunnel, 35 feet wide and 18 feet high, was completed on Thursday from Anwara in Chittagong to Patenga. About 73 percent work of Bangabandhu Tunnel has been completed. That means the work of the main tunnel is over.

The rest is just making two-way approach roads outside the two tunnels that work is also going on day and night. In parallel with that, the work of slab casting and electrical connection of the first tunnel is going on. Work to connect the two tunnels will begin in January. The project officials said that they are trying to complete the work of the project within the stipulated time or earlier.

According to the project officials, the Karnaphuli tunnel is now visible through the construction of two tunnels. The dream of the people of Chattogram is not long to come true. This Karnaphuli tunnel may be launched after the launch of another mega project Padma Bridge in the country. 2022 will bring a huge milestone for the people. Two big projects of the country are going to be launched in that year.

They said that additional manpower has already been recruited to speed up the work on the instructions of the Prime Minister. At the same time, sophisticated equipment and machineries have been attached to take the work forward. As a result, the pace of work has increased a lot.

Project Director (PD) Md. Harunur Rashid Chowdhury told Barta24.com, You know, you have to get more speed at the beginning of any work. And it took us 17 months to build the first tunnel for the new tunnel. This time it became the second tunnel in 10 months. It would have taken less than two months if there was no coronavirus.

The challenging time for tunnel construction has passed, he said, adding that the only thing challenging for the project now is to make two openings. There are no other challenges left. Land problem has been solved. We are doing the work of clearing the tunnel and the land slab between the two tunnels. Every day about 800/1000 workers are working here day and night.

The purpose of the Karnaphuli Tunnel project was to build a commercial hub on both sides of the Karnaphuli River, similar to the One City to Town project in Shanghai, China. Vehicles coming to Cox's Bazaar and South Chittagong from different parts of the country including Dhaka will no longer have to enter Chattogram city once the traffic through the tunnel starts. The city will be able to reach the destination in the fastest time through the tunnel via the Outer Ring Road. This will reduce the traffic congestion in Chattogram city.

The project director said it was an unprecedented achievement for Bangladesh to enter the tunnel era. The business of the port city will be further expanded in the future through Bangabandhu Tunnel. China and Korea will be more and more interested in investing. In addition to contributing to GDP growth, it will have a positive impact on our national economy.

Rabiul, a resident of Bandar Thana, told Barta24.com that he could not imagine. This will be done at the bottom of the river. There will be a connection between Bandar Thana and Anwara Thana and will be great for commuting. In a short time we will be able to go to Cox's Bazaar. There will also be economic development here. Our time will be saved.

Project context:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina promised to build a tunnel under the Karnaphuli river in the 2008 elections. The agreement was signed on November 24, 2015. Earlier in 2014, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Bangladesh and China at the government level for the implementation of the project. The Chinese government selected China Communication and Construction Company (CCCC) Limited, a Chinese company, to build the tunnel. After the completion of design and other works, the construction of the tunnel started on 24th February 2019. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the function.

The cost of construction of the tunnel is Tk. 10,374 crore. Of this, the Bangladesh government is giving about Tk. 4500 crore. On the other hand, China is giving about Tk. 5000 thousand crore. The country's first tunnel under construction under the bottom of Karnaphuli river has been named after Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

According to project sources, the length of the main tunnel is 3.32 km. The length of each tunnel in the tunnel is 2.45 km. The two tunnels will have a total of four lanes, two each. There will be a 5.35 km connecting road at the western and eastern ends with the main tunnel. And at the end of Anwara there is a 727 meter long bridge.