Work on Karnaphuli tunnel to begin this FY: Minister

Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said construction of Karnaphuli Tunnel would start by the end of this fiscal year.    The feasibility study on the tunnel has already been conducted, the minister said, adding that the Chinese government expressed its interest to finance the 3.4-kilometre tunnel, which will cost an estimated Tk55b.    The minister said this while talking to reporters after visiting the Bahaddarhat-Kalurghat road in the port city yesterday.    Traffic congestion on roads will remarkably reduce after construction of the tunnel, the minister hoped.   The minister said the Chinese Government was interested to build a specialised industrial zone on the other side of the Karnaphuli river and feasibility study in this regard will begin soon.   About the steps which his ministry had taken to ensure safe journey ahead of Eid, the minister said: “We are working for people as they do not face any trouble in their way to home ahead of Eid.”    At least 21 monitoring teams of communications ministry are working to ensure the smooth journey ahead of Eid, the minister added. Answering to a query about the Bahaddarhat Flyover construction work completion, the communication minister said that he had ordered Chittagong Development Authority to complete the construction work of the flyover immediately.   “If the flyover is opened, there will be a striking reduction on tailback on port city’s roads,” he added.     Later, the minister inaugurated the renovation work of Anawara-Banshkhali road and visited progress of the construction of Aktaruzzaman Babu Bridge.