Once one can’t even dare to dream, but now it’s a visible reality- the Bangabandhu Tunnel. Thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has made it possible and opened up a multidimensional bonanza for a nation once what was named as bottomless basket. From the view point of mental, physical and economic, the Bangabandhu Tunnel is just a quantum leap to the next level of development
The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh, is an architectural marvel that is officially opened by Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 28, 2023. The Bangabandhu Tunnel connects Chattogram and Anwara upazila, measuring a total of 9.39 kilometres including connecting roads. This innovative engineering achievement beneath the Karnaphuli River is the first underwater road system in South Asia.
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By transforming Chattogram into a hub with better port facilities, better access to Asian highways, and southeast road connectivity, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary initiatives hope to promote sustainable growth and development in the area. When it first opened, it provided a number of benefits by linking Chattogram City and the Rongadia Industrial Area. It Cuts the duration of the Karnaphuli River crossing in half, to just three minutes and able to handle up to 28,000 vehicles per day, improving the effectiveness of transportation. It reduces the distance between Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf, and Matarbari by forty kilometres and serves as a bypass for Chattogram traffic.
With the completion of the Matarbari deep-sea port and its connection to Myanmar, an increase in transit traffic is anticipated. Bangabandhu tunnel Facilitates more effective communication between the Chattogram seaport and airport, and the districts of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar. Inspired by China’s approach to urban development, Chattogram’s Bangabandhu Tunnel splits the city into two distinct areas, resembling Shanghai. The tunnel hastens the urbanisation of Anwara by linking Chattogram City with Anwara Upazila. Anwara is now a vibrant, fullfledged city thanks to the construction of new industrial facilities, contemporary commercial buildings, sophisticated dining establishments, cutting-edge healthcare facilities, and increased banking services. It is anticipated that the Bangabandhu Tunnel in Chattogram will draw in foreign capital and advance South Chattogram’s industrialization. By strengthening connections to Anwara Upazila and the southern regions of the city, the tunnel upgrades the city’s transport system as a whole.
Enhanced transportation can encourage foreign investment by cutting expenses, streamlining processes, and making locations more accessible. Due to its modern infrastructure, South Chattogram could become a desirable location for companies looking to open operations as commercial and industrial zones expand into formerly undeveloped areas. The Bangabandhu Tunnel, Chattogram Ring Road, and Chattogram Elevated Motorway are just a few of the projects that will transform the city’s communication infrastructure.
A more effective and accessible transportation and communication network in the area is anticipated as a result of these initiatives, which are anticipated to improve connectivity, facilitate development in outlying areas, ease transportation, reduce congestion, and increase tourism. Five roads connect the city side to the tunnel: Patenga Beach Road, Kathgarh Road, Elevated Motorway, and Outer Ring Road. Conversely, Parky Beach in Anwara, China EPZ, Korean EPZ, and CUFL are located south of the river. One can reach the Matarbari deep sea port via Anwara and the power plants in Cox’s Bazar, Banshkhali, and Matarbari after crossing the Karnaphuli from an economic point of view, this tunnel is essential. The port city of Chattogram will be finished as a commercial city as a result of this tunnel. The hubs of economic activity will be the Banshkhali coal power plants, the Maheshkhali LNG terminal, and the Matarbari deep seaport.
A private industrial company called United Group is constructing a 300 MW power plant. However, in Banshkhali, S Alam Group is building a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant. In general, there will be an increase in private investment across the river. The tunnel follows the river’s bed on one side, but fortunately, the entire path is bordered by a blue stretch of breathtaking natural beauty on the other. Thus, the area around this tunnel has enormous tourism potential. It is already known that “Coastal Tourism” will be developed on 700 acres of char land. On the opposite side, Patenga Beach is also being updated to make it fit for outdoor activities like picnics and sports competitions.
Exploring the Benefits of the Bangabandhu Tunnel
The construction of an effective communication infrastructure will contribute to the development of the tourism industry in Anwara Parkir Char and the tunnel’s surrounding area. With 783 acres of land, the China Economic Zone is already being established in Anwara. Private industrial zones are expected to witness the establishment of diverse and fruitful businesses. In other words, there will be an increase in economic activity overall. There will be a great deal of work, with women making up a sizable portion of the workforce, which will aid in lowering the nation’s unemployment rate. The bulk of these potential economic activities will centre around the tunnel.
The Bangabandhu Tunnel is predicted to completely transform Bangladesh’s economy and communication infrastructure. This infrastructure project will increase trade and exports, draw investments, improve urban development, boost tourism, and improve transportation efficiency. Furthermore, the tunnel’s construction has made it easier for more than fifty local Bangladeshi engineers to receive training in tunnel design and construction. These engineers will then help with other tunnel projects in the nation, such as the Dhaka Metro. By acting as a diversion for Chattogram traffic and travellers from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar, the Bangabandhu Tunnel is expected to drastically cut down on travel time.
Approximately 250 locally hired workers will be employed by the tunnel during its operational phase, which will generate direct economic benefits through management and operational services. The Karnaphuli Tunnel Feasibility Report also highlights Parkir Char and South Patenga as places for recreational activities and highlights the most recent developments in the area. By 2025, the tunnel is anticipated to hold more than 7 million vehicles yearly, bringing access to the Bay of Bengal to the Bangladesh Navy, local industries, and Chattogram port. It will raise living standards and expand job opportunities in the area by helping the China EPZ that is currently under construction, the Korean EPZ, and about 80 industrial facilities along the Karnaphuli River.
As a component of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the tunnel will help expand cross-border trade between Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar as well as cross-country transport corridors. The project is expected to increase Bangladesh’s GDP by 0.166 percent and produce Financial and Economic Internal Rates of Return of 6.19 percent and 12.49 percent, respectively. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, also known as the Bangabandhu Tunnel, will rank among the nation’s greatest achievements after the Padma Bridge. Being the first underwater subway system in South Asia, the “Bangabandhu Tunnel” is a source of pride. Our hope is that this tunnel will improve employment opportunities and regional connectivity, which will help eradicate poverty and bring about a significant improvement in the nation’s economic development.
Of course, it is a bold answer to the critics, who always used to love saying the
vulnerability of Bangladesh. The Bangabandhu Tunnel is a proven capability that yes, we can. The critics must agree that those days has gone by. Apart from it, the tunnel will act as a mental capital for our own engineers, think tanks and policy makers who have uplift Bangladesh on the development highway. Thanks to honorable prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has proved that she is the inheritance of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibr Rahman- The father of the nation. In 1971, Bangabandhu has proved that, if there is honesty, political good will, courage and leadership no one can stop the nation. Down the line, his daughter Sheikh Hasina is doing so.
Along with the Banghabandhu tunnel, The Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant and the Padma Multipurpose bridge has been implemented with the same line, same leadership and in a very relevant time. The year 2023 will be named as a year of structural transformation in the history of Bangladesh. The youth, the future of Bangladesh has now got the base to think about the next level of structural and technological advancement.
Bangladesh is very close to graduate to developing country from least developed countries fulfilling all the three criteria set by the United Nations. By implementing the three mega projects, the country has started its preparation to be a developed country, of course much early than others can think.
