Photo: Azhar BD Academy-
Metropolis Desk-
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges has fixed the toll for the 9.0-kilometer Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel in Chattogram.
Vehicles will have to pay Tk 200 to Tk 1,000 based on their type. Private automobiles, jeeps, and pickup trucks must pay Tk 200 to use the tunnel, while Shah Amanat Bridge, which spans the tunnel, has a toll of Tk 75 for private cars and Tk 100 for jeeps.
The proposed microbus toll is Tk 250, while the Shah Amanat Bridge toll is Tk 100. Buses with 31 or fewer seats must pay Tk 300, while buses with 32 or more seats must pay Tk 400, to traverse the tunnel. For the bridge, the prices are Tk 50 and Tk 155, respectively.
A 5-tonne truck must pay Tk 400 in tolls, a 5-8-tonne vehicle must pay Tk 500, and an 8-11-tonne truck must pay Tk 600. In the bridge, the rates are Tk 130, Tk 200, and Tk 300, respectively.
A trailer (4-axel) would be subject to a planned toll of Tk 1000, which is equal to Tk 750 on the bridge. Each additional axle over four would add Tk 200.
In 2025, a total of 28,305 cars are anticipated to use the tunnel daily, according to the project’s feasibility assessment. 37,946 automobiles are anticipated to be on the road in 2030, and 162,000 in 2067.
According to sources, the Bangabandhu Tunnel was supposed to open in December of the previous year. However, the authorities have postponed the March program.
According to project director Harunur Rashid, construction on the tunnel is nearly finished. 99 percent of the construction has been completed. The access road has already been constructed. Before the tunnel is officially opened to traffic, a test run through it will be conducted.
According to sources, the tunnel will be 9.092 kilometers long overall, including the 3.40 kilometers of the submerged portion.
It connects the main port city and the western side of the Karnaphuli River with the heavy industry-prone eastern side of the river by a 4.89-kilometer approach road and two 740-meter bridges.
The tunnel is reportedly being built for Tk 10,374 crore with joint funding from the governments of China and Bangladesh.
Communication between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar should be simpler thanks to the tunnel’s direct connection to south Chattogram, particularly Anwara Upazila.
Additionally, it will reduce traffic on two bridges that cross the Karnaphuli.
