Land acquisition for Karnaphuli tunnel finalised: Obaidul Quader

Our Correspondent | Published: April 13, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

CHITTAGONG, Apr 13: Communications Minister Obaidul Quader said planning for construction of the multi-lane under the Karnaphuli, including the process of acquisition of 1,100 acres of land, has been completed.
The Chittagong-Dhaka four-lane highway project will also be completed by December this year and 150 taxi-cabs will be introduced for people of Chittagong, he said.
He was addressing as chief guest at the closing ceremony of the Chittagong International Trade Fair 2014 (CITF) on Saturday evening. The minister said all illegal bill boards in the port city should be removed by the concerned authorities to protect beauty of the city.
"Chittagong will be connected with the BCIM (Bangladesh China India Myanmar) corridor if required for the sake of national interest alongside implementing the proposed Kolkata-Sylhet Road," he said, adding that the government has chalked out plans to construct a deep sea port at Sonadia, introduce Chittagong city metro rail and broadening of Cox's Bazar link road via Banskhali.
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mahbubul Alam presided over the function
The function was addressed by MA Latif MP as special guest. Senior vice president of the CCCI and CITF-2014 chairman Nurun Newaz Selim, vice president of the CCCI and co-chairman of the CITF-2014 Syed Jamal Ahmed, among others, spoke on the occasion.
MA Latif said the export items have been enhanced to 300 from 33 only. He urged the government to build industrial zone based on the availability of raw materials in every division of the country.
"It will not bring any benefit for the nation if Chittagong is kept out of the regional connectivity," he said.
He put emphasis on establishing road communication up to Kunming of China via Myanmar-Chittagong-Seven Sister states of India.
He said that the western media has highlighted Bangladesh as an "unpolished diamond".
Mahbubul Alam said the CITF has been organised to showcase the local products, expansion of market for the local products and for creating local entrepreneurs.