Bangladesh is set to enter a new era of connectivity as it becomes the first country in South Asia with an under-river tunnel.
The tunnel will facilitate the passage of vehicles beneath the Karnaphuli River, marking a significant milestone in the nation's infrastructure development.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the highly anticipated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel on Saturday. After inaugurating the tunnel, she will traverse it to reach the south bank of the river, where she will address a public gathering organized by the Chittagong Metropolitan, North and South District Awami League at the KEPZ ground.
The completion of this six-year tunnel construction project has led to extensive preparations on both banks of the Karnaphuli River. The surroundings of the CDA Outer Ring Road along the seashore, leading to the tunnel's entrance at Patenga, have undergone a significant transformation. The junction connecting the tunnel and the Outer Ring Road traffic circle at the Patenga end has been adorned with red-green flags, with “Joy Bangla” inscribed on a wooden structure.
Meanwhile, the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) has enhanced the entire ring road's appearance, including the traffic circles, through colourful dividers and plantings. Upon crossing the traffic circle, two roads will lead to the tunnel entrance: the “Extra Height Vehicle Return Path” and a common vehicle route. The secured area commences at the entrance, with security oversight entrusted to the Bangladesh Navy. Vehicles will undergo security checks and weighing on scales equipped with scanners before entering the main tunnel.
In light of the inauguration, all beachfront shops within a three-kilometre radius from the tunnel entrance have been temporarily closed. The Chittagong Port Authority had issued orders for lighter ships and mother vessels to vacate the area by Friday morning, with strict visitor controls in place.
Security arrangements for the inauguration have been stringent, with deployment of the Special Security Force (SSF), police, and other law enforcement personnel on both sides of the tunnel entrance at Patenga and Anwara.
Six years of tunnel construction
The journey to build the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel began in 2017 as part of the “One City, Two Towns” project, inspired by Shanghai City in China, to connect the two banks of the Karnaphuli River. The foundation stone was jointly laid by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 14, 2016. The main construction work commenced on February 24, 2019, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction of the first tunnel tube.
The total cost of the tunnel construction amounts to Tk10,689 crore, funded through a collaboration between the Government of Bangladesh and China. The Exim Bank of China provided a loan of Tk5,913 crore at a 2% interest rate, covering a substantial portion of the project cost, with the remainder financed by the Bangladeshi government. The Chinese company “China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Ltd” was responsible for the construction work.
According to project officials, each of the tunnel's two tubes is 2.45 kilometres in length, and they are spaced approximately 12 metres apart. Both tubes feature two lanes for traffic, and a 5.35-kilometre connecting road is situated at each end of the tunnel, with an additional 727-metre-long overbridge at the Anwara end.
Tunnel specifications and purpose
The tunnel descends to depths ranging from 18 to 31 metres on the Patenga side and emerges on land between CUFL and Kafco in Anwara, southeast of the Karnaphuli River. It comprises two tubes, each measuring 35 feet wide and 16 feet high, offering a vital transportation link. Access to the tunnel on the north side is available via the Outer Ring Road, Elevated Expressway, Katgarh Road, Airport Road, and Patenga Beach Road.
The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has restricted the tunnel's use to motor vehicles only, with motorcycles and three-wheelers prohibited. Vehicles will be able to travel at a maximum speed of 80 kilometres per hour through the tunnel, which will serve as a important connector between the proposed Asian Highway and the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway, reducing the distance between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar by 40 kilometres.
Overcoming challenges
The Karnaphuli River is considered the lifeline of Chittagong Port, a vital contributor to Bangladesh's economy. Harunur Rashid, the project director, highlighted the challenges encountered during the tunnel's construction, particularly in dealing with the strong river current and land acquisition issues.
He explained that while land acquisition is a common challenge in projects across the country, the unique nature of the agreement with China Exim Bank posed a hurdle. The agreement specified that all required land should be handed over before the project's commencement, which proved unattainable within the Bangladeshi context. However, the Chittagong District Administration's diligent efforts streamlined the process.
Harunur Rashid went on to describe technical challenges related to excavating soft and silty soil beneath the riverbed with a strong current. Native engineers initially faced difficulties in this unfamiliar terrain, leading to delays and requiring expertise from international specialists, particularly from China.
"While the North Tube's excavation took 17 months, the South Tube was completed within 10 months due to the valuable experience gained during the initial phase. The project also included the creation of emergency skate channels within each tube, along with provisions for inter-tube access in specific locations."
Dedication of the workforce
The construction of the under-river tunnel in South Asia was made possible through the tireless efforts of approximately 3,500 workers from both China and Bangladesh, who worked day and night. Project Director Harunur Rashid acknowledged the invaluable contribution of these workers and the challenges they overcame during the six-year construction period.
The project initially involved around 2,500 workers, with an additional 700-800 workers from China joining later as needed. The workforce's numbers gradually decreased as the project advanced.
100-year lifespan
The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is designed with a remarkable 100-year lifespan, as confirmed by Project Director Harunur Rashid. For the first five years, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) Limited will manage its operation and maintenance. During this period, local engineers and staff will undergo training to eventually assume responsibility for tunnel operation and maintenance.
The tunnel will open for vehicular traffic at 6am Sunday, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said during a press conference in Dhaka.
Project Director Harunur Rashid emphasized the unique nature of the Bangabandhu Tunnel, saying that it is not an ordinary bridge or culvert.
He said that three-wheelers and motorcycles will not be permitted to enter the tunnel. To ensure seamless operations, a dedicated control room will monitor all tunnel activities, providing real-time information and various commentary similar to radio broadcasts.
Moreover, it has been confirmed that the final toll rates for the tunnel will come into effect starting Sunday. These rates were officially established by the Bridge Department of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges last August. Private cars, jeeps, and pickups will be subject to a toll of Tk200 for passage through the tunnel. Microbuses will incur a fee of Tk250, while buses with 31 or fewer seats will be charged Tk300, and those with 32 or more seats will face a toll of Tk400.
Additionally, the toll structure for trucks has been finalized as follows: trucks weighing up to 5 tons will be required to pay Tk400, trucks ranging from 5.1 tons to 8 tons will face a toll of Tk500, and trucks from 8.1 tons to 11 tons will be charged Tk600. Three-axle truck-trailers will have a set toll rate of Tk800, while four-axle truck-trailers will need to pay Tk1000. Truck-trailers exceeding this weight will incur an additional Tk200 fee per axle.
Handling accidents, power outages
Harunur Rashid assured that safety and security were top priorities in the tunnel's design, minimizing the risk of accidents or vehicles losing their way. A well-established system is in place to rescue any vehicle in distress or breakdown within five minutes. The tunnel is equipped with 100 CC cameras that provide real-time monitoring to the control room.
In the event of a power outage, transformers and generators ensure continuous operation, with UPS providing backup power until the generators are activated. Mobile network coverage is available throughout the tunnel, with only a brief coverage gap of 500 to 600 yards, which will be resolved in due course.