Bangladesh enters tunnel era Saturday

The first underwater tunnel in Bangladesh and South Asia, built by China, is expected to be opened on Saturday.

The first underwater tunnel in Bangladesh and South Asia, built by China, is expected to be opened on Saturday (October 28).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 3.32-kilometer-long tunnel under the Karnaphuli River.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel," Project Director (PD) Md Harunur Rashid said that Bangladesh will enter the tunnel era through inauguration by the Prime Minister. On the occasion, the bridge authority, bridge division, Chattogram district administration have completed all the preparations. Bangladesh will be connected with international road network through the tunnel.

Harunur Rashid also said that a maximum-security zone has been established to protect the tunnel. Along with the police, there will be other members of law enforcement. More than a hundred of modern cameras have been installed in the tunnel. If there is an accident in the area, the rescue operation will be carried out within 5 minutes.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping laid the foundation stone of the tunnel project on 14 October 2016.

The tunnel will reduce the Karnaphuli River crossing time to just three minutes. 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 Cox's Bazar.