Construction work of Karnaphuli tunnel starts in Jan: Quader

CHITTAGONG, June 27 (BSS): Communications Minister Obaidul Quader here said Friday the construction work of the much-cherished tunnel under the river Karnaphuli would start from January next year.
"About 3.5 kilometres long tunnel would be built at a cost of Tk 90 billion," he told the journalists after visiting the naval sea beach area, the possible construction site, in Patenga Friday.
Mr Quader said the construction work of the project will start from January next and would be completed by December 2018.
"The feasibility study has already been made and acquisition of 1100 acres of land for the tunnel has also been completed" he added.
The minister also announced that a Chinese company 'CCC' and Hong Kong-based 'Arup' have prepared the tunnel's alignment after doing a feasibility study costing around Tk 140 million.
"It will be built on a 'Government-to-Government' basis", Quader said, hoping the project would be connected with the proposed Asian Highway and Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway. The minister said the tunnel will open a new vista of hope in trade and commerce in business hub Chittagong and overall economic development of the country.
Quader said after the setting up of the tunnel twin cities would be developed on both sides of the Karanaphuli river in addition to establishment of new industrial zone.
He said the Chinese government has assured Bangladesh of giving financial assistance for the project during Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's China visit early this month.
The minister also said the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China for construction of the tunnel.