Constructor to collect toll of Bangabandhu Tunnel

China Communications Construction Company (CCCCC), a Chinese government-owned company, is going to be appointed as service provider/operator for maintenance and toll collection of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel.

According to sources of Roads and Highways Department, the government is going to hire the tunnel constructor in the direct procurement system in view of the proposal of CCCC and in the light of their previous experience. A proposal in this regard will be presented next meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

 ‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel’ under the Karnaphuli river is the first tunnel under construction under the river in South Asia. The Chinese company CCCC is implementing the project on a G2G basis. According to the bridge department, the tunnel will be opened for traffic by December 2022.

According to sources, opening of the 3.32 km long tunnel will establish road connectivity between the western and the eastern part of Chattogram city, ease traffic congestion in the city and establish direct road connectivity among Dhaka and Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. Moreover, it will be connected to the Asian Highway and will be easier way to transport goods to from Chattogram seaport. The tunnels will play an important role in boosting national GDP growth.

It is necessary to hire a service provider/operator for maintenance and toll collection work before the tunnel is opened for vehicular traffic.

The major maintenance functions before opening tunnel are: Tunnel Maintenance, Bridge/Viaduct Maintenance, Approach Road Maintenance on both sides, Installation and Maintenance Tunnel Health Monitoring System, Patrol and Rescue, Automatic Way Scale Management and Toll Collection, Intelligent Traffic System (ITS) Surveillance System, Tunnel Water Supply and Drainage System, Tunnel Fire Rescue System, Tunnel Air Ventilation and Lighting System and Lighting System.