First Multi-Lane Road Tunnel under the River Karnaphuli in Bangladesh and its Impact

Abstract

The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, often known as the Karnaphuli Tunnel or simply the Bangabandhu Tunnel, is an underwater expressway tunnel beneath the Karnaphuli River in the port city of Chattogram, Bangladesh. China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC), is a multinational engineering and construction company based in China that specializes in the design, construction, and operation of infrastructure assets such as roads, bridges, tunnels, railways (especially high-speed rail), subway systems, airports, oil platforms, and marine ports, is building the tunnel in conjunction with China Road and Bridge Corporation, a China Communications Construction Company subsidiary. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel is the region of South Asia's first underwater tunnel. As a result, the project is the first outside of China to use an underwater TBM tunnel with a big diameter. After it is finished, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel should enhance Chittagong's traffic, the Dhaka-Chittagong-Bazar Cox's highway system, and Bangladesh's economic growth. Additionally, it will be crucial for enhancing the Asian Highway Network, enhancing the connection between Bangladesh and its neighbors, and advancing Bangladesh's international development. This study will include some contextual information on the project, as well as its current state and a detailed picture of the challenges encountered in finishing it. In addition, this report discusses a range of action plans to lessen the project's effects on many aspects of Bangladesh.