Karnaphuli Tunnel: Same Chinese firm to do maintenance, toll collection

The Chinese contractor that has been building the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli river in Chattogram is also set to be responsible for its maintenance and toll collection.

Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has selected China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) for the maintenance and toll collection work under direct procurement method for five years after the tunnel is completed.

The proposal would be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today for approval, BBA Executive Director Abu Bakr Siddique told The Daily Star yesterday.

As per the proposal, the company would get the duties for five years from the start of the tunnel's operation, he said. However, neither the contract price nor the toll rate has been fixed yet, he added.

The 9.1km tunnel, the first of its kind in South Asia, is being built at a cost of Tk 10,374.42 crores. It will help develop a modern communication system between Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox's Bazar, and also be linked to the Asian Highway.

The project has witnessed 72 percent progress so far, Project Director Harun-or-Rashid told The Daily Star yesterday.

The deadline of the project is December next year, he said, adding that although the Covid-19 pandemic has caused some delay, they would try to meet the deadline.

Abu Bakr Siddique, also the secretary of Bridge Division, said the tunnel would be the first of its kind among South Asian countries and it is a highly technical matter.

So, they found it would be better if the construction company provides maintenance services for the tunnel in the initial stage, he said. 

As per the proposal, the company would provide training to BBA men on different aspects of the tunnel and maintenance issues.

Asked about the contract price, Abu Bakr said once the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approves their proposal, they would seek a financial proposal from the company.

Upon negotiation, the contract price and other issues would be settled, he added.

In November 2015, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the much-hyped multilane road tunnel project involving Tk 8,446.64 crore.

Later the cost rose to Tk 10,374.42 crores.

However, physical works of the project started in December 5, 2017 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the boring work of the tunnel in February, 2019.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader in December last year inaugurated the installation work of the second tube.

The four-lane main tunnel would be twin-tube type and 3.4km long and in the western and eastern part, there would be 5.35km approach roads as well as a 727-metre overbridge to connect Anwara upazila with the Chattogram city, shows project documents.

The entry of the tunnel would be near the naval academy, some 2km downstream of the Karnaphuli river from the airport and the exit point of the tunnel would be near the fertiliser factory at Anwara upazila.