Majhar Mannan :
Improved communication system acts as the driving force of socio-economic development of a country. Bangladesh has already undergone a revolution in communication sector. In order to improve the communication system of the country, the government is moving ahead with a master plan. In order to transform a country into a developed country, there is no alternative but to improve its communication system. The work of installing the spans of Padma Bridge has already been completed and the work of Metrorail is progressing rapidly. At the same time construction work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in Chittagong is progressing at a fast face. This is the first tunnel in the country to be constructed under the Karnafuli River. Excavation of one of the two tubes in the tunnel has already been completed and the other is progressing rapidly.
The tunnel is being constructed to ensure multi-faceted facilities. 1. To build uninterrupted and up-to-date road communication system in Chittagong city and to modernize the existing communication system. 2. Connecting it with the Asian Highway. 3. Enhancing the existing facilities of Chittagong port and expediting the construction work of the proposed deep sea port. 4. To construct a new road link between Dhaka- Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar and to enrich the tourism industry. 5. Through this, Chittagong can be built as ”One city two town” model which will look like the city of Shanghai in China. 6. To enrich the eastern bank of Karnafuli river and to build industrialization there.
The tunnel is being constructed for the overall communication facilitation, modernization, industrial development and the development of the tourism industry. Construction work of four lane road tunnel under Karnafuli River started on 24 February 2019. The main tunnel combines two tubes and its length is 3.4 km.
Tunnels are being dug to a depth of 18 to 31 meters at the bottom of the river. The construction of the tunnel will cost TK. 9880 crore. The Bangladesh government is giving 3967 crore taka and the rest of the money is being given by China as a loan. Construction work on both sides of the tunnel is in full swing. Work on the Outer Ring Road connecting the Patenga tunnel in Chittagong to the Dhaka-Chittagong highway has already been completed. The elevated expressway will come down in front of the tunnel from Lalkhan Bazar in Chittagong city and its work is moving forward. Cox’s Bazar and south Chittagong vehicles will not have to enter Chittagong city after the completion of the tunnel. This will reduce the pressure on vehicles in Chittagong city, reduce traffic congestion and save time. Tourism industry will develop on the both sides of the river.
It will connect Anwara Upazila with Chittagong city. After the construction of this tunnel, the distance from Chittagong to Cox’s will reduce to 34 km. The entire tunnel will be completed within the next two years and will be open for traffic. This tunnel constructed under Karnafuli has been named Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel. Vehicles now ply on the Shah Amanat Bridge over the Karnafuli River but the way economic activity in Chittagong is progressing, the bridge will not be able to cope with future cargo pressure. The construction of the tunnel marks the beginning of a new era of industrialization bypassing the city and connecting the sea coast with road. 61 percent of the tunnel has been completed since construction began and if it continues, it will take until December 2022 to be completed. The construction of this tunnel will increase exports, alleviate poverty and bring socio-economic development.
After its construction, the amount of Financial and Economic IRR will be 6.19 percent and 12.49 percent respectively. Moreover, the amount of Financial and Economic ”Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) will be 1.05 and 1.50 respectively. This will have a positive impact on GDP. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, the work of economic zone from south bank of Karnafuli River to Cox’s Bazar, deep sea port and power plant is in progress. Everyone is now waiting for multi-faceted benefits of this tunnel as the tunnel will not only connect two sides of the river but it will also extend the Dhaka-Chittagong economic corridor to the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar. Experts think that this tunnel will play a major role in country’s economy like Padma Bridge. The tunnel will connect the industrial city Mireshwarai to Chittagong -Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf and will form a huge economic corridor along the coast.
This tunnel will bring a revolutionary change in the economy of Chittagong. Based on this tunnel new industrial zones are being planned. Initiatives have already been taken to set up four economic zones in Cox’s Bazar and two in south Chittagong. Chittagong’s export processing zone will get its benefit. The goods of these economic zones can be brought and taken through Maheskhali Matatbari sea port. Not only this, the raw material and industrial products from Matarbari sea port will be connected to the rest of the country by road through this tunnel. Work of the sea port will be completed in 2025 after the entire construction of the tunnel. This tunnel will improve the communication system of the whole country with the southern part of Chittagong. An industrial revolution will take place from Teknaf to Mirsarai economic zone. A huge number of people will be employed and the economic wheel of the country will be activated through this tunnel.
The industrial revolution and economic progress of a country depends on its advanced communication system. One of the criteria for sustainable development is improved communication. Bangladesh is going to touch the milestone of development by improving the communication system.
Improved communication system acts as the driving force of socio-economic development of a country. Bangladesh has already undergone a revolution in communication sector. In order to improve the communication system of the country, the government is moving ahead with a master plan. In order to transform a country into a developed country, there is no alternative but to improve its communication system. The work of installing the spans of Padma Bridge has already been completed and the work of Metrorail is progressing rapidly. At the same time construction work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in Chittagong is progressing at a fast face. This is the first tunnel in the country to be constructed under the Karnafuli River. Excavation of one of the two tubes in the tunnel has already been completed and the other is progressing rapidly.
The tunnel is being constructed to ensure multi-faceted facilities. 1. To build uninterrupted and up-to-date road communication system in Chittagong city and to modernize the existing communication system. 2. Connecting it with the Asian Highway. 3. Enhancing the existing facilities of Chittagong port and expediting the construction work of the proposed deep sea port. 4. To construct a new road link between Dhaka- Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar and to enrich the tourism industry. 5. Through this, Chittagong can be built as ”One city two town” model which will look like the city of Shanghai in China. 6. To enrich the eastern bank of Karnafuli river and to build industrialization there.
The tunnel is being constructed for the overall communication facilitation, modernization, industrial development and the development of the tourism industry. Construction work of four lane road tunnel under Karnafuli River started on 24 February 2019. The main tunnel combines two tubes and its length is 3.4 km.
Tunnels are being dug to a depth of 18 to 31 meters at the bottom of the river. The construction of the tunnel will cost TK. 9880 crore. The Bangladesh government is giving 3967 crore taka and the rest of the money is being given by China as a loan. Construction work on both sides of the tunnel is in full swing. Work on the Outer Ring Road connecting the Patenga tunnel in Chittagong to the Dhaka-Chittagong highway has already been completed. The elevated expressway will come down in front of the tunnel from Lalkhan Bazar in Chittagong city and its work is moving forward. Cox’s Bazar and south Chittagong vehicles will not have to enter Chittagong city after the completion of the tunnel. This will reduce the pressure on vehicles in Chittagong city, reduce traffic congestion and save time. Tourism industry will develop on the both sides of the river.
It will connect Anwara Upazila with Chittagong city. After the construction of this tunnel, the distance from Chittagong to Cox’s will reduce to 34 km. The entire tunnel will be completed within the next two years and will be open for traffic. This tunnel constructed under Karnafuli has been named Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel. Vehicles now ply on the Shah Amanat Bridge over the Karnafuli River but the way economic activity in Chittagong is progressing, the bridge will not be able to cope with future cargo pressure. The construction of the tunnel marks the beginning of a new era of industrialization bypassing the city and connecting the sea coast with road. 61 percent of the tunnel has been completed since construction began and if it continues, it will take until December 2022 to be completed. The construction of this tunnel will increase exports, alleviate poverty and bring socio-economic development.
After its construction, the amount of Financial and Economic IRR will be 6.19 percent and 12.49 percent respectively. Moreover, the amount of Financial and Economic ”Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) will be 1.05 and 1.50 respectively. This will have a positive impact on GDP. In addition to the construction of the tunnel, the work of economic zone from south bank of Karnafuli River to Cox’s Bazar, deep sea port and power plant is in progress. Everyone is now waiting for multi-faceted benefits of this tunnel as the tunnel will not only connect two sides of the river but it will also extend the Dhaka-Chittagong economic corridor to the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar. Experts think that this tunnel will play a major role in country’s economy like Padma Bridge. The tunnel will connect the industrial city Mireshwarai to Chittagong -Cox’s Bazar and Teknaf and will form a huge economic corridor along the coast.
This tunnel will bring a revolutionary change in the economy of Chittagong. Based on this tunnel new industrial zones are being planned. Initiatives have already been taken to set up four economic zones in Cox’s Bazar and two in south Chittagong. Chittagong’s export processing zone will get its benefit. The goods of these economic zones can be brought and taken through Maheskhali Matatbari sea port. Not only this, the raw material and industrial products from Matarbari sea port will be connected to the rest of the country by road through this tunnel. Work of the sea port will be completed in 2025 after the entire construction of the tunnel. This tunnel will improve the communication system of the whole country with the southern part of Chittagong. An industrial revolution will take place from Teknaf to Mirsarai economic zone. A huge number of people will be employed and the economic wheel of the country will be activated through this tunnel.
The industrial revolution and economic progress of a country depends on its advanced communication system. One of the criteria for sustainable development is improved communication. Bangladesh is going to touch the milestone of development by improving the communication system.
(Majhar Mannan, Assistant Professor, B A F Shaheen College Kurmitola, Dhaka Cantonment).
