The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, running  beneath the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, is now awaiting inauguration, with the primary construction phase successfully concluded. The main tunnel is fully equipped and prepared for vehicular movement. This historic project marks the country's first-ever underwater tunnel, and preparations for its grand inauguration are underway. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the tunnel in Chattogram on October 28. Marking the occasion, the prime minister will address a rally at the Anwara end of the tunnel. Also read: Uttara to Motijheel in 38 mins once part of Metro Rail from Agargaon opens on Oct 20 Commencing from the following day, the tunnel will be open for vehicular traffic, providing a significant transportation milestone for the region. In this regard, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the primary construction phase of the tunnel has been successfully concluded. “Presently, the focus is on resolving technical matters within the tunnel. The inauguration of this remarkable project heralds Bangladesh's entry into the era of underwater tunnels,” said Quader. This ‘monumental achievement’ will usher in a new era of communication within the country, marking a source of immense national pride, he added. Also read: After 10 years of delay, Mongla-Khulna rail line likely to open in October   The Bridges Division Secretary Md. Manzur Hossain told UNB that the primary tunnel is fully ready for vehicular traffic. “Ongoing efforts encompass various aspects, including the establishment of essential infrastructure such as fire service and police station buildings. The overall progress of the tunnel project stands at 98 percent,” he said. "Our activities will continue even after the inauguration. It has been discussed to establish a police station, a dumping area, and a station, and the space is available for that. Those who are involved in the operation and those who will perform maintenance will have their own vehicles," he added. The secretary said that the traffic division has devised a dedicated plan for managing the flow of traffic both within and around the tunnel area, aiming to ensure seamless transportation. Inside the tunnel, vehicles will be able to run at a speed of 80 kilometres per hour. It has been decided which vehicles will run in the tunnel. Tolls have also been fixed, said the Bridges secretary (see bolow). Also read: HSIA Terminal 3: Final preparations on course for Oct 7 inauguration “The concept of the tunnel is new to us. That's why it has some challenges. It is different from other bridges or roads. In that case, we have to make sure that the tunnel will be safe and those who use it will also be safe,” said Hossain, adding, “From that perspective, I don't think it's safe for two- or three-wheelers at the moment.” Harun-ur-Rashid, project director of the tunnel, told UNB that the scope of Chittagong city will increase once the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel is opened. "Chittagong city marks one end of the tunnel, while the other end leads to Anwara Upazila. The development of tunnels is transforming Anwara into a burgeoning city. Concurrently, the land prices in Anwara Upazila have seen a substantial increase." Numerous industries, both large and small, are emerging on both sides of the road leading to the tunnel's terminus in Anwara Upazila. When the tunnel becomes operational, it will reduce the Karnaphuli River crossing time to just three minutes. As time is of the essence, the economy is expected to thrive. The tunnel is poised to bring about a transformative change in road connectivity between the capital, Dhaka, and Chittagong city, as well as the tourist destination of Cox's Bazar. Also read: Dhaka-Bhanga railway track via Padma bridge all set for trial run on Thursday The main tunnel spans a length of 3.32 kilometres, with each of the two four-lane tubes measuring 2.45 kilometres. Additionally, there will be a 5.35 km link road at both the west and east ends of the main tunnel, along with a 727-metre-long flyover at the Anwara end. The tunnel is situated at a depth ranging from 18 to 31 metres beneath the Karnaphuli River. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina initiated the commencement of boring for the first or northern tunnel from Patenga to Anwara on February 24, 2019. The loan agreement had been signed on June 30, 2015, following a feasibility study of the project in 2011 and a Memorandum of Understanding in 2014. Construction work officially began on December 5, 2017, following the appointment of the contractor. This project is jointly funded by the Governments of Bangladesh and China (G2G), with a total cost of Tk 10,698 crore. The construction work for the tunnel is being carried out by the China Communication and Construction Company Limited (CCCC). The Government of Bangladesh is executing this project with the aim of creating a 'One City Two Towns' concept, similar to Shanghai in China, on either side of the Karnaphuli River. Also read: Elevated expressway marks first of 9 megaprojects to be inaugurated before election A total of 12 types of vehicles will be subject to toll charges when using the 3.43 km long Bangabandhu Tunnel. The minimum toll fee has been set at Tk200, applicable to private cars. Pickup trucks will also be charged Tk200 for each crossing, while microbuses will be charged Tk250. Buses with fewer than 31 seats will incur a toll of Tk300, while those with more than 32 seats will pay Tk400. Big buses with three axles will be charged a toll of Tk500. The toll for trucks capable of carrying goods up to five tonnes has been fixed at Tk400. Eight-ton trucks will have to pay Tk500 and 11-ton trucks will have to pay Tk600. A three-axle container trailer will cost Tk800. A four-axle trailer will cost Tk1,000. However, an additional Tk200 will have to be paid for each additional axle. The toll rate will come into effect on the day the tunnel is opened for vehicular movement. Read more: Toll rates fixed for Karnaphuli tunnel

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday (September 09, 2023) said Bangladesh has gone into the sphere of great power. He said this while addressing a peace rally organized by Dhaka Metropolitan South Awami League at Bangabandhu Avenue in the capital on Saturday afternoon. The rally was held to protest against BNP-Jamaat's terrorism, militancy, anarchy, and continued anti-national conspiracies. Also read: BNP starts ‘new game’ using Dr Yunus: Quader “What will happen to the BNP now after seeing Joe Biden's selfie with Sheikh Hasina at the G20 summit? It's not a fall, it's a retreat. Now we just have to go backwards. Where did their waves go? I don't think people will come to their (BNP’s) mass rallies anymore,” said the AL leader. “BNP has brought an epidemic of lies across the country. Their leaders in villages also lie,” he said. Urging the party leaders and workers to be ready, the Awami League general secretary said, “The peace rally will continue till the next election. BNP leaders and activists are now seeing darkness. Not a single one will sleep at night. The night's sleep has been forbidden.” Also read: BNP wants to indulge in evil game of 1/11 with Dr Yunus at the helm: Quader “BNP talks about movement but preparing for elections. Candidates will be given in all seats. If there is no candidate, how will Tarique Rahman's nomination business be done? BNP has lost the game. Only elections are left. They will also lose the final,” said Quader. Awami League Presidium Member Matia Chowdhury, Advocate Kamrul Islam, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, among others, spoke at the rally. Also read: BNP is not happy with good news of increase in remittances: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said the Awami League government has already proved that it believes in deeds and not words by implementing metro rail and Padma bridge. “Due to the government's development programmes for the country, AL's public support has increased more than before,” he said this while visiting the old trade fair ground on the eve of the inauguration of the Kaola- Farmgate section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Read : BNP tries to shift blame of enforced disappearances, killings to government: Quader PM Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the expressway on Saturday. It will then be opened to commuters on Sunday, according to project officials. “AL government has proved through development activities that it keeps its words,” added Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling party. Read : BNP’s 45th founding anniversary Friday "Far from toppling the government, the BNP is worried about its own existential crisis," the AL leader  said. “Awami League is on alert to protect the lives and property of the people against  terrorism or violence in the name of movement,” he said. Read : Conspirators getting ready before next election: Obaidul Quader BNP leaders and workers do not have faith in the party’s programmes. It is not possible to wage a movement with black flags, added Quader. "It becomes a mourining procession."

Bangladesh's Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on August 20, 2023 announced the toll rates for Dhaka Elevated Expressway, partially opening today (September 02, 2023). Tolls will be collected from vehicles plying the expressway in four categories, the minister said in a press briefing at the conference room of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges in Secretariat on Sunday. Also read: Dhaka Elevated Expressway’s airport to Farmgate section to be inaugurated by PM on Sept 2 Private cars, microbuses (<16 seats) and mini-trucks (<3 tonnes) will have to pay Tk 80, medium-sized trucks (up to 6 wheels) and large trucks with more than 6 wheels will pay Tk 320 and Tk 400 respectively. Meanwhile, all buses and minibuses with 16 or more seats will have to pay Tk 160 to ply the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.  Also read: PM to inaugurate Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail on Oct 20 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 11.5 km section of the much anticipated Dhaka Elevated Expressway on September 2. A rally will be held at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon marking the inauguration. Also read: Toll rates fixed for Karnaphuli tunnel

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail on October 20, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (August 20, 2023). A rally will be held at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital at 3pm on October 20, marking the inauguration, the minister said while exchanging views with journalists at the conference room of the Road, Transport and Bridges Ministry in the Secretariat. Also read: First phase of Metro Rail test run from Agargaon to Motijheel underway Meanwhile, the 11.5 km stretch of Dhaka Elevated Expressway, from Kawla to Farmgate, will be opened on September 2. On this occasion, a rally will be held at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon. The construction work of the northern route of MRT Line 5 will be inaugurated on September 16, Quader also said. Also read: Metro rail service resumes after two hours of suspension On October 28, a rally will be held in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila to mark the inauguration of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually inaugurate 140 bridges, 12 overpasses across the country from the newly-constructed Sarak Bhaban in Dhaka on October 22. A vehicle inspection centre will also be inaugurated at the same time. Also read: PM to inaugurate Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail in Oct: Quader

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader on Tuesday (August 08, 2023) said that the “evil force” called BNP must be resisted to keep the values of Liberation War and democracy safe in Bangladesh. Quader made the remark after paying tribute to Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib on her 94th birth anniversary at Dhaka’s Banani graveyard this morning. Read: AL delegation to leave Dhaka for New Delhi on Sunday The road, transport and bridges minister said, “Politics of murder and conspiracy started in the country since the brutal assassinations of Bangabandhu on August 15 and four national leaders on November 3 in 1975. The grenade attack on August 21, 2004, primarily targeting Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina, was a continuation of that.” “Twenty-three lives were lost, including Ivy Rahman, in that grenade attack. BNP was behind this history of bloodbath. This party initiated the politics of murder and conspiracy in Bangladesh,” Quader added. Read: AL can achieve the impossible if it stays united: Information Minister Obaidul Quader also said Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib is one of the most remarkable women in Bangladesh’s history. “From Sheikh Mujib to Bangabandhu, from Bangabandhu to the Father of the Nation – Begum Mujib was not only Bangabandhu’s wife, she was also a dedicated partner in all the struggles,” he said. 

Awami League is not under any international pressure ahead of the 12th parliamentary election; if there’s any pressure it’s from our own conscience, said the party’s General Secretary Obaidul Quader. “Why should we feel pressure? It is our commitment to hold free, fair elections. If you talk about pressure, then it’s pressure from our own conscience,” he said at a press briefing today (August 03, 2023), shortly after holding a meeting with US Ambassador Peter Haas at AL Central Office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka. Also read: US has no position on caretaker govt issue: Ambassador Haas after meeting AL delegation “We have trade relations with America, we maintain friendly ties. The ambassador of the United States came to our party office. They've never been to our office before. He came, and he saw it,” said Quader. “We talked about the next election. Our commitment remains the same and it is loud and clear. We want peaceful elections. We want free and fair elections. We're talking to everyone. It's our commitment to the people of the country,” he added. Also read: Not a violation of Vienna Convention: US ambassador on raising issues about domestic political affairs “It is our sacred duty to protect democracy. We are committed to this responsibility. Bangladesh has an independent Election Commission,” said the AL leader. In response to a question, Obaidul Quader said, “We didn’t talk about any complaint. The US ambassador didn’t mention caretaker government, dissolution of parliament, resignation of the prime minister either. We talked about free, fair and peaceful elections.” “The Americans didn’t give us any advice, and there was no talk of dialogue either,” he added. Also read: US Ambassador Haas holding meeting with AL leaders at Bangabandhu Avenue office

The new US visa policy should be effective on BNP as they are trying to obstruct election through violence and anarchy, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said. Under the policy, the US can impose “visa restrictions on individuals and their immediate family members if they are responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.” Read: ‘Which party do they belong to?’: AL Facebook post responds to Fakhrul’s claim with photo of Chhatra Dal leader during yesterday’s clash "BNP's recent political programmes were nothing but obstruction to the upcoming national election,” Quader, also road, transport and bridges minister, said at a press conference at his Secretariat office today (July 31, 2023). "We don't want clashes and we won't go on the streets for that. Police will handle the situation and it is their responsibility," he added. “BNP leaders and activists will block all important entry points of Dhaka and try to disconnect the capital from other parts of the country. In this situation, should the police stay inactive? Police will definitely take action and it is their duty to protect people's lives and property,” said the minister. “Awami League wants a peaceful environment before and after the election. But BNP wants to remove Sheikh Hasina from power at any cost. So, we will remain vigilant until the election,” Quader added. Read: Be alert so that anti-liberation forces cannot rise: Law Minister Those who want election, should not go for conflict, he said. “No foreign embassy, no foreign delegate has so far said anything about a caretaker government or the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina or dissolving the parliament," Quader said. BNP's demand for a caretaker government did not get any support at home and abroad, Obaidul Quader observed. Among others, Awami League Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua and newly-elected Dhaka-17 MP Mohammad Ali Arafat were present at the briefing.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader today said that BNP is “preparing to foil the election through violence.” “We will not leave the country in the hands of Pakistan’s friends. The country, democracy, development—nothing is safe with them,” he said. The road, transport, and bridges minister made the remarks while addressing a views-exchange meeting at the party’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka this morning. Read: No possibility of conflict from AL side on July 27 but govt will ensure safety of lives and property: Quader  He also urged party leaders and activists to fight for the country. “We are going to start a campaign in September—with the aim to win the election, taking all the pro-liberation war forces under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Quader added. He said that Awami League wants free, fair and peaceful elections. "But BNP, which does not believe in public support, is stockpiling firearms to contest the elections," he said. Read: Nothing will be gained through conspiracy: Home Minister to BNP “As Ziaur Rahman did not come to power with public support, BNP too does not have confidence in the people. They (BNP) also know what the election results will be like,” the AL leader said. Urging party activists to remain alert, Quader said that BNP wants conflict. Among others, Awami League presidium members Matia Chowdhury, Lt Col (retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Advocate Kamrul Islam and Dr. Mustafa Jalal Mohiuddin; joint general secretaries Dr. Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nashim; leaders of all associate bodies of the party were also present at the meeting.  

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader has said that there is no possibility of conflict from the party's side during the rally on July 27. “Awami League will not instigate any violence. However, the AL government will ensure the safety of people's lives and property if violent incidents occur,” he said while addressing the introductory meeting of the party's education and human resources sub-committee at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka today (July 24, 2023). BNP's dream will never come true: Obaidul Quader “Around 70 percent of the country's population is eagerly waiting to vote for AL. People are our strength, and we are not afraid of anyone,” he said. Commenting on student politics, he said, “The beauty of student politics has lost some sheen, and we need to revive its former glory.” Sheikh Hasina's government needed again: Obaidul Quader Quader also said, “There has been a quiet revolution happening in the development of Digital Bangladesh by Sajeeb Wazed. He works in silence and does not seek self-promotion.” General Election to be held as per constitution: Obaidul Quader