All set for inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 26: All preparations have been taken for the inauguration of the country's first under-river tunnel 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' in Chattogram on October 28.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the tunnel under the Karnaphuli River tomorrow (Saturday).
Marking the occasion, the premier will address a rally at the Anwara end of the tunnel.
The rally will be held at KEPZ ground. Mofijur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram South District Awami League, told The Financial Express, "More than one million people will gather at the grand rally of Sheikh Hasina. The stage is shaped like a boat."
The total work of the tunnel under the Karnaphuli River has been completed and beautification of the roads for this purpose has also been done.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is fully equipped and designed for vehicular movement.
The historic project which marks the creation of the country's first-ever underwater tunnel is expected to usher in a new era for the development of the economy and the communication sector.
Project Director Harunur Rashid said, "Construction work of the tunnel has been completed fully. We have also checked the safety system."
He added, "The scope of the port city's development will increase after the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel."
Chattogram city marks one end of the tunnel while the other end leads to Anwara. The development of tunnels is transforming Anwara into a burgeoning city part. Concurrently, the land prices in Anwara have seen a substantial increase.
It may be mentioned that many industrial units, both large and small, are emerging on both sides of the road leading to the tunnel's terminus in Anwara.
When the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce the Karnaphuli River crossing time to just three minutes.
The tunnel is poised to bring about a transformative change in road connectivity between the capital, Dhaka, and Chittagong city, as well as the tourist destination Cox's Bazar.
According to a survey report of the Roads and Highway (RHD), a total of 1,72,60 vehicles will run through the tunnel every day.
Later, 28,305 vehicles are likely to run in 2025 while 1,62,000 vehicles may run through the tunnel in 2030 next.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has already fixed up the toll rate for vehicles for using the tunnel.
The ministry issued a notice recently in this regard. A total of 12 types of vehicles will be subject to toll charges when using the 3.43 km long Bangabandhu Tunnel.
The minimum toll fee has been set at Tk 200, applicable to private cars.
Pickup trucks will also be charged Tk 200 for each crossing while microbuses will be charged 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 Tk 500. The toll for trucks capable of carrying goods up to five tonnes has been fixed at Tk 400. Eight tonne trucks will have to pay Tk 500 and 11 tonne trucks will have to pay Tk 600. A three-axle container trailer will cost Tk 800.
A four-axle trailer will cost Tk 1,000. However, an additional Tk 200 will have to be paid for each additional axle. The toll rate will come into effect on the day the tunnel is opened for vehicular movement.

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