Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on 6 Nov. 2012 visited the site of the proposed Kanraphuli Tunnel near Patenga Naval Academy gate in Chittagong.
High-ups of the ministry, senior officials of the Bridges Division, representatives of the consulting firm and local engineers of the Roads Division were present at that time.
After visiting the site, the minister told the media that there will be another commercial city on
the south bank of the Karnaphuli River if the tunnel is constructed. It will pave the way for extension of the port to the other bank of the river.
The minister said construction of the proposed multi-lane tunnel beneath the river is likely to start next July at an estimated cost of Tk 60 billion. China Communication Construction Company will build the tunnel.
He said that the consulting firm has completed the feasibility study of the tunnel.
The company has already submitted the draft final report of the project and recommended Alignment-C near Patenga Naval Academy gate as the suitable place for tunnel.
Obaidul Quader said too many bridges on the Karnaphuli River will create navigational problems for ships of the Chittagong Port which will also create extra traffic pressure on the port city.
Construction of the tunnel is very important to avoid those problems while extension of port area is necessary, he added.
