Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (November 26, 2022) joined an event marking an end to the general work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel’s south tube, which goes beneath the river Karnaphuli in Chattogram. She also officially announced completion of the tunnel’s south side. The PM joined the event, organised by the Bridges Division, virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Construction work of the Karnaphuli Tunnel’s southern end has been completed entirely, while 99 percent work of the tunnel’s northern end has been finished. This is the first under-river tunnel in South Asia, which is expected to contribute 0.166 percent in the national economy growth with boosting employment, tourism, and industrialisation. Karnaphuli Tunnel is expected to greatly improve the traffic situation in Chattogram. Read more: 2 tubes of Bangabandhu Tunnel likely to open this Oct, Nov: Quader According to project sources, two 5.35km approach roads are being constructed on the eastern and western sides of the tunnel. The length of the tunnel is 3.32km, and it is being constructed at a depth of 18 to 31 metres under the Karnaphuli river. According to officials, as of now, the overall progress of the project is 94 percent. It’ll take two more months to complete the rest of the work. Karnaphuli Tunnel is being built at a cost of Tk 10,374 crore. The tunnel project is being implemented with joint funding of the governments of Bangladesh and China (G2G). The Exim Bank of China is giving a loan of Tk 5,913 crore while the Bangladesh government is funding the rest. The Karnaphuli river divides Chattogram into two parts. The tunnel being built – following the “One City, Two Towns” model like Shanghai in China – will connect the port city on the north with Anwara upazila on the south. Read More: PM Hasina foresees no crisis in consumer goods China is providing technical and financial assistance to the project. Currently, firefighting, lighting and control management systems are being installed inside the tunnel. Besides, 52 irrigation pumps are also being installed so that rising water level during monsoon and natural disasters do not block the tunnel, said project officials. The project is being implemented by Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA). Two tubes adjoining the tunnel have been built under the Karnaphuli river. Lights, pumps and drainage systems are being installed in the tunnel simultaneously while A 772m flyover has also been built. At present, the construction of a toll plaza at the tunnel’s Anwara end is going on in full swing. Read More: PM reaches Jashore, speaks at President Parade in BAF Academy