A brand new horizon is going to be opened in the country's communication sector on Saturday as Bangladesh is entering the age of tunnels with the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Tunnel built under the Karnaphuli River.

Experts said this tunnel will bring an incredible change in the country's economy. This will reduce the distance between the main city of Chattogram and the sea and the airport. Save extra cost and time. Karnaphuli River can be crossed in just 3 minutes. Experts believe that this tunnel will play an important role in making the economy more dynamic.

In a briefing, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that after inaugurating the tunnel on October 28, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a conciliatory meeting at the EPZ ground in Anwara.

Under the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the construction of the tunnel has been completed. The grand opening of which will be on Saturday.

Experts believe that new dimensions are being added to the country's industrialization, tourism, economy and other sectors through this tunnel. As a result of the opening of the tunnel, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of the country will increase by 0.166 percent.

When the tunnel is fully operational, an average of 17,260 vehicles will move every day. That number will rise to 63 lakh in a year. In 2025, an average of 28,305 vehicles will travel through the tunnel every day. Half of which are cargo vehicles. By 2030, an average of 37,946 vehicles per day and by 2067, and 162,000 vehicles have been targeted.

Preparations are complete at both ends of the tunnel. Preparations for the public meeting have also been completed. Project Director of the tunnel, Divisional Commissioner of Chattogram, Deputy Commissioner and responsible senior officials visited the tunnel site. At the same time, a delegation of journalists from Dhaka and Chattogram also visited the site.

Project director Harunur Rashid said that the construction work has been completed at risk. Due to the soft soil of the Karnaphuli river, there is a lot of speed at the bottom during boring. There are 16 counters in the toll plaza of the tunnel. There are six weight scales.

Deputy Commissioner ABM Fakhruzzaman said that due to the drought, the construction of the tunnel in the Karnaphuli River was challenging. This tunnel will also play a role in reaping the benefits of Matarbari seaport. The people of Chattogram still haven't forgotten the Prime Minister's announcement that 'I have taken the responsibility of the development of Chattogram on my shoulders'.

The civil society of Chattogram thinks that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, has kept her word. Prominent philanthropist, Ekushey Medalist educationist Professor Dr Anupam Sen said that the Prime Minister has kept her word by implementing one mega project of economic importance in Chattogram.

Freedom fighter, educationist, and environmental researcher Professor Dr Muhammad Idris Ali said, "If the tunnel is opened, Bangladesh will enter the new golden door of development and status."

This tunnel, which will connect Patenga and Anwara in Chattogram, is aimed at developing Chittagong on the model of Shanghai, China. At the same time, two different areas will be facilitated in less time through the bottom of the river. Not only that, if it becomes operational, a modern communication link will be developed between Dhaka-Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. Officials said the tunnel will connect with the Asian Highway.

Stating that the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar tourism industry will develop further around the tunnel, Chattogram Metropolitan General Secretary of the ruling Awami League AJM Nashir Uddin said that the Bangabandhu Tunnel will also play a role in GDP.

Urban Planner Architect Ashiq Imran said that as a result of Bangabandhu Tunnel, there will be extensive development of the proposed industrial area on the eastern side of the Karnaphuli river i.e. South Chattogram. The communication of Chattogram city located in the western end will also have a positive impact. New speed will get communication to Cox's Bazar by road through Dhaka.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping laid the foundation stone of the project on October 14, 2016. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially inaugurated the construction of the tunnel on February 24, 2019.

Once the tunnel opens, the entire country will be connected to the country's first deep sea port under construction and future commercial hub of Maheshkhali. Under construction are deep sea port, LNG terminal, LPG terminal, oil terminal, gas transmission, oil refinery, energy and food storage, tourism, embankment and waterfront economic zone.

In these mega projects, hundreds of vehicles will move every day to bring and take products from different areas; Which will use the Bangabandhu Tunnel as an easy mode of transportation.

This tunnel will affect not only the communication system of the country, but also the communication system of South Asia. The country will be connected with the Asian highway through this tunnel.

(The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on October 27 and rewritten in English by Tanvir Raihan)