Businesspeople yesterday urged for improving connectivity between Dhaka and Chattogram on a priority basis in order to get the expected benefits of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel.

They also proposed that ensuring rapid industrialisation on the southern side of Karnaphuli river and expanding the Dhaka-Chattogram highway into eight lanes should be given utmost importance as well.

In addition, they asked to include a Dhaka-Chattogram elevated expressway project in the next five-year plan to facilitate faster movement of goods between the country's capital and its main port city.

They hope the tunnel under Karnaphuli river will transform Chattogram into a logistics hub by bridging two major economic corridors, namely the Dhaka-Chattogram and Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highways.

These suggestions came at a roundtable, styled "Bangabandhu Tunnel: A leap towards vision 2041", organised by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

CCCI President Omar Hazzaz moderated the event, which was held at the Bangabandhu Conference Hall of the World Trade Centre in the port city's Agrabad area.

Mahbubul Alam, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), was present as chief guest.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the 3.4-kilometre-long tunnel on October 28.

However, the country's first underwater expressway built at a cost of about Tk 10,690 crore may not yield the expected benefits unless these proposals are met, according to FBCCI President Alam.

Besides, developing tourism facilities on the southern side of Karnaphuli river and solving the waterlogging issue in Chattogram are two other areas that require focus, he said.

He also said there is no alternative to building an elevated expressway on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway to reduce the time and cost of moving cargo and people along this route.

With this backdrop, he urged the government to include the project in the next five-year plan.

Alam said the tunnel would enhance connectivity between the south-eastern region, including Matarbari deep seaport, and other parts of the country as well as the seven sister states of India.

BSRM Chairman Alihussain Akberali stressed on setting up economic zones in southern Chattogram while also providing support for rapidly setting up industries to ensure effective use of the tunnel.

Additionally, he urged for removing the red tape and bottlenecks entrepreneurs face when developing industries inside economic zones.

For example, the BSRM has spent about Tk 180 crore over the past five years to buy 300 acres of land in the Mirsarai Economic zone, but no drainage system or road connectivity has been developed till date.

"Likewise, we applied for 10 acres for an agro-based plant in the BEZA economic zone, but it took three years to get the allotment," Akberali added.

Former CCCI President Ali Ahmed said that back in 1965, it would take five hours to reach Dhaka from Chattogram via railway.

"But road transport still takes an average of six hours even after so many decades, which is discouraging for investors at home and abroad," he added.

Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice-president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, proposed developing a dedicated zone in southern Chattogram for small-and-medium sized garment factories.

Ashiq Imran, chairman of the Chattogram chapter of the Institute of Architects Bangladesh, urged for giving top priority to developing connectivity between the Anwara point of Bangabandhu tunnel and Cox's Bazar.

This would allow businesspeople to get the full benefit of the tunnel as well as Matarbari deep seaport, he said, adding that the south side of the river should be developed in a planned way.

REHAB Vice-President Md Abdul Kauiam Chowdhury also emphasised on expanding the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway to four or six lanes.

He opined that the tunnel will not be of much benefit if the Anwara to Cox's Bazar part of the highway is not quickly broadened.

Chowdhury proposed connecting Cox's Bazar highway with the tunnel by establishing an 8-kilometer link road through Chandanaish to reduce the travel time.