A tunnel will be built up under the river Karnaphuli to connect the southern part of the Chittagong with the port city as well as to facilitate communication with Cox's Bazar.
Communication ministry has undertaken a project in this regard to be implemented by Bangladesh Bridge Authority with the assistance of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA).
The bridge authority, , a component of the communication ministry, called a tender for feasibility study where a joint venture of China Communication Construction Company Limited and Arup was the lowest bidder. The company started its feasibility study from May 31. CDA officials said they have suggested the site to build the tunnel at Kalurghat or Patenga portion of the river for its maximum use. They said to explain their idea about the tunnel, they held a meeting with Bangladesh Bridge Authority and a delegation of the selected company on June 1.
Md Ashraful Islam, executive engineer of CDA project department, said the bridge authority will implement the project and Tk12 crore has been allocated for feasibility study. The company concerned will submit its report on observation and suggestions to Bangladesh Bridge Authority within nine months, he added.
Ashraful said it will be better if the proposed tunnel is built at Patenga point as Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Road would be used as transit route. If authorities concerned decide to build the tunnel in the middle of the town, it could increase the traffic jam, he added.
He said CDA also has proposed to connect the tunnel with the outer ring road of the city to make the communications easier for Dhaka-Cox's Bazar routes.
CDA also has kept a provision in its master plan for tunnel under the river Karnaphuli, Ashraful added.
Mentioning about the importance of a tunnel, CDA Chairman Abdus Salam said it will create a great scope to explore industrial area in the southern part of the Karnaphuli where there is already an industrial area.
Besides, the proposed tunnel under the river has grown interest among the investors from home and abroad to establish industries in that zone, he added.
CDA sources said though the CDA has a proposal to establish the tunnel at Patenga point they have also an alternative proposal for the tunnel at Kalurghat FIDC road and western part of the Chittagong EPZ.
CDA is opposing to build the tunnel on the middle of the city which they have already expressed to the delegates of the feasibility study team as well as the government. The feasibility study team has already visited the proposed sites of CDA, they added.
Mentionable, it was a long standing demand of Chittagong city planners as well as developers to build up a tunnel across the river Karnaphuli to connect the southern part of the district and facilitate communications of Cox's Bazar, the biggest tourist city of the country and one of the longest natural see beach.