CHATTOGRAM, June 20: The government has undertaken a series of initiatives to increase traffic and revenue at the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Bangladesh's first underwater road tunnel, amid concerns over lower-than-expected vehicle movement since its inauguration in October 2023.
The tunnel authorities expect traffic through the Tk 10,689 crore tunnel to rise significantly by 2027 as several major industrial and infrastructure projects are implemented in southern Chattogram.
Among the key measures is the establishment of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara upazila at an estimated cost of Tk 4,189 crore. Recently approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the project is aimed at expanding export-oriented industrial infrastructure.
Under the scheme, Bangladesh will receive Tk 2,467 crore in Chinese loan assistance. The project is expected to create around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract nearly US$500 million in foreign investment, mainly in the textiles, pharmaceuticals and light engineering sectors.
The 800-acre economic zone has been strategically planned near the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Chattogram Port and Shah Amanat International Airport. It will include a 1,235-metre jetty link road, a 330-metre bridge, a four-lane road, a central effluent treatment plant with a capacity of 25 million litres, a multipurpose jetty, gas and power facilities, water reservoirs and a 12-kilometre (km) boundary wall.
Meanwhile, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is constructing an interchange at Patenga to improve connectivity among three mega projects and two key traffic points. The project is expected to be completed this year.
Another major initiative is the Tk 1,183 crore PAB-Toitong regional highway project, recently approved by ECNEC. At present, cargo transport from Dhaka to the Matarbari Deep Sea Port travels through the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Anwara, Shikalbaha Y-Junction, Patiya Bypass, Gachbaria, Chakaria and Badarkhali before reaching Matarbari.
Once the new highway becomes operational, vehicles will be able to travel directly from the tunnel through Kalabibir Dighi, Banshkhali, Toitong, Pekua and Matamuhuri to Badarkhali and Matarbari. The route is expected to reduce travel distance by 40 to 45km.
Traffic heading to Cox's Bazar will also benefit from a shorter route, reducing travel distance by about 30km.
The highway will connect the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, economic zones and emerging industrial centres through a single transport network, creating new opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth across southern Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.
Experts said a marine drive connecting Mirsarai Industrial City with Cox's Bazar via Anwara, Banshkhali, Pekua and Matarbari would further enhance the tunnel's utilisation in the future.
The authorities are also counting on the future operations of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port and Mirsarai Economic Zone to boost tunnel usage.
