Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, also known as the Karnaphuli Tunnel, is an underwater expressway tunnel in the port city of Chittagong, Bangladesh under the Karnaphuli river. The entire route is 9.39 kilometers (5.83 mi), with the tunnel making up 3.32 kilometers (2.06 mi). The tunnel diameter is 10.80 meters (35.4 ft). It is expected over 17,000 vehicles will be able to use this tunnel daily. The project cost is estimated at US$1.1B, of which around half is financed by the Exim Bank of China.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel toll plaza

History

On October 14, 2016, Bangladesh Prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping laid the project's foundation stone. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping inaugurated the construction site of the Karnaphuli Tunnel on October 1, 142017. Hasina officially inaugurated the tunnel construction and its tedious phase on February 24, 2019. On Saturday, October 2, 282023, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Karnaphuli Tunnel, made available for traffic from 6 am the next day.

Technical specifications

The tunnel is a twin-tube tunnel, each consisting of two lanes. The tunnel has a maximum depth of 31 meters (102 ft) below the riverbed. The tunnel was constructed using the slurry shield tunneling method.

Economic benefits

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is expected to bring significant economic benefits to Bangladesh. The tunnel will reduce travel time and distance between the two sides of the Karnaphuli River, boosting economic activity in the region. The tunnel is also expected to attract tourists to the area.

Environmental impact

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is expected to have a minimal environmental impact. The tunnel was constructed using the slurry shield tunneling method, which is relatively environmentally friendly.