Chittagong Correspondent:
The government has taken the initiative to review the toll rates to increase the movement of vehicles in the Karnaphuli Tunnel. The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has said that work is underway to bring the toll to a bearable level, especially to encourage heavy and commercial vehicles to use the tunnel.
The government hopes that in addition to rationalizing the toll, traffic in the tunnel will increase significantly if the Chinese economic zone in Anwara, Korean EPZ, Matarbari deep sea port and new road infrastructure are launched.
Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Bridge Department of the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, said that efforts are being made to make the toll rates of the tunnel bearable so that heavy vehicles can move smoothly. In addition, work on the connecting road with Anwara and Korean EPZ is also progressing. If these projects are implemented, the traffic in the tunnel will increase manifold.
Even after its inauguration on October 28, 2023, the expected number of vehicles has not been confirmed in the Karnaphuli Tunnel. According to the information from the Bridge Department, currently an average of 1.1 lakh 21 thousand 730 taka is being collected as toll per day. On the other hand, the cost of operation and maintenance is about 22 lakh 85 thousand 546 taka.
Although the target of about 18 thousand vehicles per day was set at the time of inauguration, it has not been achieved in reality. According to those concerned, due to the relatively high toll, many heavy vehicles are still using alternative routes like Shah Amanat Bridge and Kalurghat Bridge.
On the other hand, a large amount of money is being spent every day on electricity, ventilation, fire safety, lighting, CCTV and modern traffic management.
The government expects that the use of the tunnel will increase significantly if the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEZ) under construction in Anwara is launched.
This industrial zone is being developed on 783 acres of land as a joint venture of the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) and the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC). There is a plan for foreign investment of about 1.3 billion US dollars in it.
The foundation stone of the project was laid on July 27. The first industrial plant is expected to start production within the next 18 months and the bulk of the project is expected to be operational by 2030. Those concerned believe that the industrial zone will create employment for more than 100,000 people and a large number of trucks and container vehicles will use the Karnaphuli Tunnel every day.
Anwara Upazila Executive Officer Md. Mohin Uddin said that if the industrial zone is operational, South Chittagong will become a modern industrial suburb. Administrative preparations are underway for that purpose.
The draft ‘Chittagong Metropolitan Masterplan (2025-2050)’ of the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) includes five upazilas of South Chittagong, including Anwara. The plan proposes to build new satellite towns and planned housing to reduce pressure on the main city.
Project Director Mohammad Abu Isa Ansari said that based on public opinion, the plan is being formulated by prioritizing issues such as waterlogging, traffic jams, playgrounds and modern public transport.
Initiatives have been taken to build a multipurpose jetty, modern connecting roads, a central sewage treatment plant and a new road from Anwara to Banshkhali, Pekua to Matarbari around the industrial area.
On June 9, the ECNEC meeting approved 10 development projects at a cost of about Tk 3,891 crore. Among them, the Anwara-Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar Bypass and the Anwara-Banchkhali-Pekua-Chakoria Regional Highway Development Project are notable.
Pintu Chakma, Executive Engineer of Soj Chittagong South, said that the survey and preliminary work of the projects have started. Visible progress will be seen in the next one to two years.
Amirul Haque, President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that if the industrial corridor being developed around the Chittagong Port, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Chinese Economic Zone and Matarbari Deep Sea Port is launched, both the movement of heavy vehicles in the tunnel and revenue will increase significantly.
Urban planner Ashiq Imran said that in many countries of the world, infrastructure is built first, and investment comes later. Therefore, it would not be right to evaluate the future of the tunnel with current income. However, considering future needs, it is necessary to upgrade the Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway to six lanes.
Transport expert Dr. Md. Shamsul Haque said that reducing tolls alone will not yield the desired results. If initiatives to reduce logistics costs, fast connectivity with industrial areas, effective bypass roads and logistics costs can be implemented, the Karnaphuli Tunnel will be able to utilize its full economic potential.