Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel
The project “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel” under the river Karnaphuli is the first of its kind in Bangladesh and South-east Asia as well. In the year 2010 in Chattogram Bangladesh Government declared to build a tunnel under the river Karnaphuli. In June 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Chinese Government to construct a tunnel under the river Karnaphuli on G-to-G basis. The construction work of the tunnel was inaugurated on 14 October 2016. Hon’ble President of the People’s Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping was present on that occasion.
The main tunnel under the river Karnaphuli consists of twin tube and 3.4 km in length and will connect the Anwara Upazila with main Chattogram city through 5.35 km approach road & a flyover of 727 meter on the east and west side of the tunnel. The Estimated cost of the project is TK 9,880.40 crore, where Bangladesh Government will provide TK 3,967.21 crore and remaining TK 5,913.19 crore (USD 705.80 million) will be borne by the Chinese Government. Presently, the project implementation work is going on satisfactorily and physical progress is 32%. It is expected that the tunnel will be opened on December 2022.
Construction of Karnaphuli Tunnel will bolster industrial development, flourish tourism and expand trade & commerce near the project area. As a result, employment generation and exports will be increased. Therefore, the overall socio-economic development and the lifestyle of the people of this area will be improved. Besides, there will be a positive impact on the total economy of the country.