PM to inaugurate Karnaphuli Tunnel on Oct 28: Quader

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (or Karnaphuli Tunnel) on October 28.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this today during a press briefing at Setu Bhaban in Dhaka.

The tunnel is being built at a cost of Tk 10,374 crore. It’s the first tunnel in South Asia which is being built under a river.

Through the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the government is aiming to make Chattogram “One City, Two Towns” like China’s Shanghai. China is providing all the technical and financial assistance to the project. Currently, firefighting, lighting and control management systems are being installed inside the tunnel. Besides, 52 irrigation pumps are also being installed so that rising water level during monsoon and natural disasters does not block the tunnel, said project officials.

The project is being implemented by Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA).

Two tubes adjoining the tunnel have been built under the Karnaphuli river. Lights, pumps and drainage systems are being installed in the tunnel simultaneously while A 772m flyover has also been built.