United News of Bangladesh

In a distressing incident last night, reckless driving led to a multi-vehicle crash inside the Bangabandhu Tunnel in Chattogram, resulting in damage to at least five vehicles and injuring several people. The accident, occurring in one of the tunnel's lanes, underscores the growing concerns over traffic safety. Assistant Sub-Inspector Billal Hossain of the Karnaphuli Police Station, under the Chattogram Metropolitan Police, reported that the chain-reaction collision was initiated by a private car that lost control due to excessive speed. The vehicle's erratic maneuvering led to it colliding with nearby cars, impacting a total of three private cars and two microbuses. Read more: Out of control truck smashes into two other vehicles on Dhk-Ctg Highway; helper dead, 10 injured Following the accident, one of the injured was rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital for immediate medical attention, while others sought treatment at various hospitals. The precise number of individuals injured in the ordeal remains uncertain. In the aftermath of the collision, authorities seized all vehicles involved as part of their ongoing investigation into the incident. This accident adds to a troubling pattern of similar occurrences within the Bangabandhu Tunnel, which has seen seven to eight accidents in the mere four months following its inauguration on October 28 last year. The situation has been further complicated by a video that surfaced online, showcasing illegal car racing inside the tunnel immediately after its opening. The viral footage prompted legal action, with a case filed on November 1 against the individuals involved, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations within this crucial infrastructure. Read more: Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River: All you need to know

Police in Chattogram have seized five cars that illegally raced in the Bangabandhu tunnel following its opening to traffic on October 29. Police conducted raids in different areas of the port city and seized the cars on Thursday, said Zahir Hossain, officer-in-charge (OC) of Karnaphuli police station. Bus-auto rickshaw collision leaves 7 dead in Chattogram The seized vehicles are — Chatta Metro-GA-12-9043, Dhaka Metro-KA-11-8935, Dhaka Metro-KA-12-1814, Chatta Metro-GA-13-3573 and Chatta Metro-GA-14-2254. Police also arrested two people  in a case filed in connection with the incident, he added. Two cousins drown in Chattogram The arrestees are Ashraful Haque, 35, son of Ansarul Haque of Alkaran Haque Mansion, Kotwali Police Station, Chattogram Metropolis, and Emran Uddin, 24, son of Solaiman Saudagar of Bakalia. A case was filed following a complaint on charges of violating rules of using the under-water tunnel in the Karnaphuli River. 48hr blockade: Bus burnt in Chattogram’s Oxygen Mor The OC said that five accused in the case have secured anticipatory bail from court.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram earned Tk 25 lakh toll on the first weekly holiday since its opening, as some 7,000 vehicles went through it from 8 am to 8 pm on Friday (November 03, 2023). Tanvir Rifat, assistant engineer (toll and traffic) of the tunnel, shared the information with UNB. The pressure of vehicles was high on the first weekly holiday since the tunnel had opened as thousands of commuters thronged it — causing traffic congestion on both sides, he said.Vehicles took 30 to 45 minutes to cross the tunnel instead of the usual 3.5 minutes due to the heavy traffic. Belayet Hossain, toll manager of the tunnel, said the high number of commuters in vehicles contributed to the traffic gridlock on Friday. Read: Bangabandhu Tunnel: Tk 7.1 lakh toll collected on 2nd day Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the country’s first underwater tunnel on October 28. Tk 12,13,300 was collected as toll, as 5,429 vehicles used the tunnel on the first day it opened to traffic (October 29). On the second day, some 3,205 vehicles went through the tunnel and Tk 7.1 lakh was collected as toll. The tunnel opened for vehicular movement at 6 am on October 29. Traffic movement remained low due to the ongoing countrywide hartal called by the opposition parties on Sunday. Read: Tk 1.48 lakh toll collected in 7 hours since Bangabandhu Tunnel opened As many as 14 boxes were set up at Anwara end to collect the toll. A total of 12 categories of vehicles will be able to go through the Bangabandhu Tunnel. The minimum toll for traffic movement in the tunnel has been set at Tk 200, and the maximum is Tk 1,000. Motorcycles or three-wheelers will not be allowed in the Bangabandhu Tunnel. Read more: Bangabandhu Tunnel opens for traffic

Initial work on a tunnel project to build ‘One City, Two Towns’ on the model of Shanghai city of China, on both banks of the Karnaphuli River in Port City Chattogram, began as early as 2017. This project is jointly funded by the governments of Bangladesh and China (G2G). Though initially estimated to cost some Tk 8400 crore, over time that has ballooned to Tk 10,698 crore. Bangladesh government provided Tk 4,619 crore, while the China Exim Bank contributed over Tk 6,000 crore to support the project. Motorcade from PMO makes trial crossing through ‘Bangabandhu Tunnel’ in Ctg The project aims to replicate a 'One City Two Towns' concept, similar to Shanghai in China, on both sides of the Karnaphuli River. The main tunnel has 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. BB will release commemorative note of Tk50 to mark launch of Bangabandhu Tunnel The tunnel is situated at a depth ranging from 18 to 31 metres beneath the Karnaphuli River. Vehicles will enter the tunnel from Outer Ring Road, Elevated Expressway, Kathgar Road, Airport Road, and Patenga Beach Road through the tunnel’s north side. Vehicles will run at a speed of 80 km per hour through this tunnel. Despite huge challenges, Bangabandhu Tunnel completed with "high quality, efficiency": Project Manager According to the project documents, the tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway with the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway and reduce the distance from Chattogram to Cox's Bazar by 40 km.

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

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (November 26, 2022) said Awami League always thinks of innovative ways to advance the nation at an unbeatable pace. “Awami League always thinks in line with the modern era, advancing the nation and developing the country with an unbeatable pace,” she said. The prime minister said this while joining an event marking the end to general work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel’s south tube which goes beneath the river Karnaphuli. She officially announced completion of the tunnel’s south side. The PM joined the event, organised by the Bridges Division in Chattogram, virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban. Read More: PM reaches Jashore, speaks at President Parade in BAF Academy She said that only Awami League has the innovative vision to construct a tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli river. She said that Zia, Ershad and Khaleda Zia never thought of constructing a tunnel under a river.  They lacked that vision, she said. Sheikh Hasina said that construction of the Karnaphuli Tunnel will brighten the image of the country as well as boost economic activities in the locality. Readd more: PM officially announces completion of Karnaphuli Tunnel’s south side “This (Karnaphuli Tunnel) will contribute significantly to the country's economy,” she said. Coming down heavily on a section of people who “do not see” development by the Awami League government, she advised them to have their eyes checked. “Many do not see our development initiatives… If they have difficulties in seeing, they can go to the doctor. We have established a very good Institute of Ophthalmology. They can go there for treatment; they might see everything,” she said. She also said that if anyone wants to remain blind, then nothing can be done. Read more: PM to join Karnaphuli Tunnel event Saturday “I think there are some people in our opposition parties who are blind, despite having functioning eyes. They pretend not to see anything… They do not have the ability to do anything… In future, they will not be able to do anything either. They will not be capable of giving anything to the country,” the PM said. She said that the opposition, with their pockets full when in power, smuggled ten trucks of arms and laundered money. “They never worked for the welfare of the people, and in future they will not do anything either, this is the reality,” she said. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam And Bridges Division Secretary Md Monjur Hossain also spoke at the programme. Read More: Bangladesh has changed a lot under Awami League govt: PM Hasina A documentary on the Karnaphuli Tunnel was screened at the programme. The Bangladesh Prime Minister also witnessed a cultural function at the Karnaphuli tunnel project's programme venue in Chattogram.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) on Wednesday approved a number of proposals including import of a total of 180,000 metric tons (MT) of fertiliser. The committee also approved a proposal of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority to pay 65 percent of the payment in Bangladesh currency and remaining 35 percent in foreign currency (US dollar) to the Chinese service provider of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel. Read more: Proposals to import sugar, fertilizer get cabinet body nod Earlier, the Chinese CCCC was appointed as service provider at a cost of Tk 983.82 crore for a five-year tenure. It will collect the toll from the tunnel user vehicles and also conduct its operation and maintenance work. Under the new approval, the Chinese CCCC will get annually Tk 656.98 crore (as 65 percent of the payment) in local currency and $35.162 million (equivalent to Tk 326.83 crore) in US dollar. Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal presided over the virtual meeting while members of the committee attended it. As per approval, Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) will import 90,000 MT of urea fertiliser in four equal lots while the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation will import the remaining 90,000 MT MOP and DAP fertiliser in two lots. In one lot, the BCIC will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE at a cost of Tk 189.28 crore with per matric ton’s value at $594.67. Some 60,000 MT of the same urea will be imported by the BCIC from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company of Saudi Arabia in two lots (each 30,000 MT) at the same rate and the total cost will be Tk 387.56 crore. Read more: Cabinet purchase body okays import of 90,000 MT fertiliser, other proposals The BCIC will also import 30,000 MT of phosphoric acid from Sun International of FZE, the UAE (local agent RK Enterprise, Dhaka) at a contract value of Tk 215.14 crore. The BADC, under the Agriculture Ministry, will import 50,000 MT of MOP fertiliser from Canada at a cost of Tk 416.64 crore with per MT price at $821. It will import 40,000 MT of DAP from Saudi Arabia at a cost of Tk 308.78 crore with per MT price at $826.50. The committee gave nod to a proposal of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to award a Tk 102.61 crore civil work contract to Ideal Electrical Enterprise Ltd., under Bangladesh Power Distribution System Improvement, Mymensingh zone project.

A case has been filed against six government officials, including a senior assistant commissioner of the Chattogram district administration, for dilly-dallying to pay money due for land acquisition under the Bangabandhu Tunnel Project. The case was filed at the court of Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Dev, said the plaintiff’s lawyer Advocate Anamul Hoque. Taking the allegations into cognisance, the court asked the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to submit a report before it after investigating. The plaintiff is Md Hemayet Hossain, a resident of the port city’s Halishahar area. Read more: GK Shamim: Court sets Sept 25 for verdict in arms case On the other hand, the accused are the district administration’s Senior Assistant Commissioner (land acquisition department) and Executive Magistrate Ahsan Murad, land surveyor Mohammad Abdul Mumin, surveyors Mohammad Iman Hossain Gazi, Muktar Hossain, Abu Kawsar Sohel and their office attendant Belayet Hossain Bulu. According to the case statement, the victim’s grandfather Omda Miah had two families. Of them, there were two each sons and daughters in the first family and four sons in the second family. four sons of the second family obtained some lands from their grandfather as heirs but the first family’s members could not accept the matter.Meanwhile, the government took the land as acquisition for the Bangabandhu Tunnel through the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram. Centering the matter, victim Hemayet, a member of the first family, filed a case with a civil court in Chattogram earlier. Subsequently both the groups moved the High Court that ordered to take the money equally. Following the order, a deal was inked between them over sharing the money on March 13, 2016. Dodging the first family’s members, the members of the second family kept the money of the land acquisition under the custody of the prime accused. Read more: No prior permission needed to arrest govt officials for criminal offence The victim and others submitted a written complaint seeking money to the executive magistrate Ahsan Murad but they received no response in this regard for a long time. November 10 this year, the victim along with one Md Fakhrul Islam went to the magistrate’s office and wanted to know about the update of their complaint.At one stage of the altercation, all the accused allegedly harassed the duo physically and abused them verbally.    

The inauguration of Bangabandhu Tunnel, under Karnaphuli river, will be done in two segments and open to traffic in October and November this year, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said today (September 7, 2022). “As it (the tunnel) has two tubes, the first tube will be inaugurated in October and the other in November. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate both tubes of the Bangabandhu tunnel,” he said. The minister revealed this information while speaking at a programme, organised by Bangladesh Secretariat Reporter’s Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat in Dhaka. Read: Chinese firm CCCC tipped for toll collection, maintenance of Bangabandhu Tunnel Besides, construction work of Kalna Bridge will be finished this month (September) and the PM will inaugurate it any time in October, he said. Talking about Dhaka Metro Rail project, the minister said 94% work of the metro rail – from Uttara to Agargaon point – has been completed, which will be inaugurated this December. Metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel point is expected to be inaugurated in December, next year. He also said, 52% of construction work of the Elevated Expressway has been finished and it is going on in full swing. Read Light at the end of Karnaphuli tunnel BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.

Chinese firm China Communication Construction Company Limited (CCCCL will be appointed as service provider for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli River in Chattagram. Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) at a meeting approved a proposal in this regard on Wednesday. The same company has been engaged by the government to build the tunnel and its associated infrastructure. As per the proposal, the Chinese company will collect the toll from the tunnel user vehicles and also conduct its operation and maintenance work at a cost of Tk 983.82 crore for a five-year tenure. However, the toll structure for the vehicles has yet not been determined by the government. The under-construction Tunnel is the first underwater expressway in the country, expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2022. According to officials of the project, 86 per cent of the tunnel construction, including the construction of the main tunnel and the approach roads in Chattogram, has been completed. Read:Construction companies claim "breakthrough" in Bangabandhu Tunnel work The main tunnel is 3.32 kilometres long. It has two tubes, each 2.45 km long, and has a diameter of 10.80 metres. Each tube will consist of two lanes. The tubes are 12 metres apart from each other. There will be a 5.35 km connecting road on the west and east ends of the main tunnel, along with a 727-metre long bridge. The tunnel goes under the Karnaphuli at the Patenga Naval Academy point in the port city to a depth of 18m to 31m to Anwara Upazila on the other side of the river. Officials believe there will be better connectivity between the tourist city Cox’s Bazar, southern Chattogram and the rest of the country once the tunnel is open. It will also decrease the number of vehicles using the two bridges over the river. South of the river in Anwara lies the Korean and Chinese export processing zones, the CUFL factory and Parki Beach. All routes to Cox's Bazar, Banshkhali and Matarbari power station and deep seaport go through Anwara. Work on the project began in December 2017. But the pace of work was a bit slow during the coronavirus pandemic. Official said the construction of the two tubes of the tunnel under the river has already been completed. The first tube took 17 months to complete, but the second one was completed in 10 months. Structural work on the tunnel is currently ongoing. Jointly funded by Bangladesh and China, the initial cost of the project was estimated at Tk 9880 crore. The cost was subsequently revised up to Tk 10,374 crore. END/UNB/