The long-awaited Jamuna tunnel-construction project has achieved a breakthrough as China selected Henan Communications Planning & Design Institute Co Ltd to conduct the preliminary feasibility study for it.
This development follows the pullout of China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) from the job two years ago, official sources told the FE.
The Chinese railway corporation was initially chosen by the Chinese government, but its withdrawal from the project caused dismay among officials of the Bridge Division - the implementing agency of the project.
However, the Chinese side recently informed the government of Bangladesh that they have selected Henan for the job.
Officials said that a Chinese team led by Mr Ding Ning would be responsible for the pre-feasibility study, adding the study would be completed within a year.
Since 2017, the Bridges Division has been attempting to conduct a study for the project, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed the construction of the tunnel beneath the river Jamuna in February 2016.
Earlier, the Bridges Division requested the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to communicate with the Chinese government for the latest developments.
"The design of the proposed project cannot be finalised unless the feasibility study is completed," an official at the Bridges Division told the FE.
The proposed Jamuna tunnel project aims to connect the less developed northern region with Dhaka and other eastern parts of the country.
The authorities initially chose a site between Balashi Ghat in Gaibandha district and Dewanganj Ghat in Jamalpur, as it was expected to reduce the distance between Dhaka and the northern districts by nearly 80 kilometres.
Officials said that the final site selection would be made after conducting the feasibility study.
Experts favour the construction of a tunnel over a bridge due to the significant problem of siltation in the River Jamuna. Officials underscore that Jamuna is the second-largest river in the world in terms of the transmission of silt, and the fifth-largest in terms of water flow.
The Jamuna tunnel project holds the promise of revolutionising connectivity and transportation in Bangladesh, offering an alternative to the overburdened Bangabandhu Bridge.
In 2017, the Bridges Division sent a draft development project proposal to the Planning Commission titled 'Conducting Feasibility Study Beneath the River Jamuna'.
According to the primary project proposal, once the tunnel is constructed, improved communication would be established between the Rangpur division and the northern part of the Dhaka division, greater Mymensingh and other parts of the country.
The major operations under the feasibility study project include selecting the location for constructing the proposed tunnel, determining its length and alignment, as well as choosing the construction method, including various subcomponents of the project.
Other tasks under the study involve conducting a geotechnical investigation, seismic study, survey, traffic survey, environment and rehabilitation-related study, and formulating a plan. The process also includes framing an initial design, making the final estimation, formulating a land acquisition plan, and conducting economic and financial analysis.
Besides, there are other processes like formulating a procurement, operations and maintenance plan while identifying a risk evaluation and reduction system.
Once the tunnel is built, according to reports, improved rail and road communications will be established among 13 districts in the northern region, including Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Gaibandha, Bogra, Nilphamari, Thakurgaon and greater Mymensingh.
Terming the tunnel 'a multi-modal transportation corridor', officials said the road and railway communication systems would also be linked with this tunnel.
Its construction will ease the burden on the Bangabandhu Bridge, currently the only communication link between the northern and western zones and other parts of the country.
The Bridges Division has plans to introduce both road and rail services through the tunnel, ensuring fast road and rail communications from the western part of the country to the eastern part and the Chattogram seaport.
According to officials, the width of the River Jamuna could stretch up to 13 kilometres during the rainy season, with 19,500 cubic metres of water transmitted through this river every second, alongside 650 million tonnes of silt.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
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