By A key milestone for the Karnaphuli Tunnel running under the Karnaphuli River from Chittagong to the other side of the river was achieved.
As China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) leads its large-diameter Tunnel Boring Machine to excavate the first underwater multi-lane tunnel project, the global outbreak of Coronavirus does not halt the TBM to excavate the left line.
The 9.092km Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel plays a vital role in the expansion of Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure, solving traffic jams on Dhaka to Chittagong road, cutting travel time between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. Furthermore, it will contribute significantly to the transport of people and goods through the Asian Highway Network, also known as the Great Asian Highway.
Following the inauguration last year by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in February, the work on the multi-lane underwater tunnel 3.50km in length began. Although, a 4.89km corridor at the side of bridges 740m long will be constructed. To connect the west side of the Karnaphuli with industrial hubs on the east side of the river.
In 2017, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached an agreement to launch a Chinese manufactured TMB to embark on tunneling underwater in South Asia for the first time.
Source: Tunnel Builder
