Another feather is being added to the list of success of Bangladesh as the Bangabandhu tunnel is fully ready to open. The first river-bottom tunnel in South Asia is going to be inaugurated on October 28 in the port city of Chattogram, known as the country's commercial capital.
Bangabandhu tunnel is now fully ready for vehicular movement. In addition to the construction work, all kinds of works including mechanical, electrical and beautification work have been completed and multiple trials have been successfully completed by driving the vehicle.
Project Director of Bangabandhu Tunnel Project Md Harunur Rashid said Bangabandhu tunnel is now fully usable. The pre-commissioning and commissioning of the tunnel has already been successfully completed. There are seven systems for vehicles to move safely through it. The successful effectiveness of all systems has been tested. Now vehicles are fully prepared to move through the tunnel. China Communication and Construction Company Limited, the company that built the tunnel, will hand over the tunnel at the beginning of October. Toll rates have already been fixed for vehicular movement in the tunnel.
Bangabandhu Tunnel has been built under the Karnaphuli River connecting Patenga-Anwara Upazila of South Chattogram. The tunnel was constructed in two separate tubes under the River in Chattogram at a cost of Tk 10,374 crore under the priority project of the present government. This is the first tunnel built under the river in the whole of South Asia. The present government took up the tunnel project to build a 'One City Two Town' on the lines of Shanghai city of China by connecting the two banks of Karnaphuli. The length of the main tunnel with two tubes from Patenga to Anwara at the other end of Karnaphuli is 3.43 kilometers. The length of the tunnel tube is 2.45 kilometers and the inner diameter is 10.80 meters. It will take a maximum of 6 minutes to reach the other end of the tunnel from one end of the river.
A total of 12 types of vehicles will be able to cross the 3.43-km-long Bangabandhu Tunnel with toll. Of this, the minimum toll for crossing private cars has been fixed at Tk 200. Apart from this, the toll on every pickup crossing is Tk 200. The toll for micro buses is Tk 250. The toll for buses less than 31 seats is Tk 300. The toll for buses more than 32 seats is Tk 400. The toll for big buses with three axles has been fixed at Tk 500. The toll for trucks capable of carrying goods up to five tons has been fixed at Tk 400. Eight-ton trucks will have to pay Tk 500 and 11-ton trucks will have to pay Tk 600. A three-axle container trailer will cost Tk 800. A four-axle trailer will cost Tk 1,000. One will have to pay an additional Tk 200 for every subsequent excel. The toll rate will come into effect from the day the tunnel is opened for vehicular movement. No motorcycle will be able to pass through the tunnel. Rickshaws and bicycles, including three-wheelers, will not be allowed to run.
JH
