Chinese credit likely to be released next week

CHITTAGONG, Dec 5: Chinese credit for construction of the Karnaphuli tunnel costing Tk 8.5 billion is expected to be released next week by the Export-Import Bank of China.
Officials from the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry and China Communication Construction Company Ltd sign the deal for constructing the Karnaphuli tunnel in August, 2016.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on October 14 unveiled plaques of several projects, including the Karnaphuli tunnel during Xi Jinping's Dhaka visit.
Meanwhile, a six member team of experts led by Engineer Kabir Ahmed, Director of the Project (PD) will visit China next week to see the condition of the TBM (Tunnel Boring Machine) to be used for drilling of the tunnel.
Kabir Ahmed told the Daily Observer, the building of the TBM has already been completed.
He said that the machine is expected to arrive in the country by May next.
With the arrival of TBM, the drilling works of the main tunnel will begin, he confirmed.
He also said that the drilling of 400 metre at the end of West side of the tunnel would be completed by May next.
The tunnel will have two tubes with two lanes each linking the two banks of the river. The project will be 'One City, Two Town' like China's Shanghai.
This project is a part of the China-proposed Silk Road. It will be connected with the Asian Highway.
The primary groundwork to construct the tunnel and build up twin cities on both banks of the Karnaphuli River has already been completed.
The tunnel will be constructed with the financial and technical assistance of China while the Bridges Division of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry will supervise the work.  The constructions of necessary infrastructure, including building residences for Chinese engineers and related employees have been finished.
The feasibility study and acquisition process of 1,100 acres of land for the tunnel have also been completed.
The length of the 4-lane tunnel will be 3.5 km while the approach road on both sides of the river will be around 6 km. The tunnel will connect the proposed Asian Highway to Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Highway.
Meanwhile, the 21-km long power transmission line has been installed by the Power Development Board at a cost of Tk 850 million on both sides of the river Karnaphuli for assistance in building the tunnel.
The tunnel would open a new horizon for trade and commerce in Chittagong, playing a vital role in the overall economic development of the country.
The tunnel will reduce the distance by-road between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, also easing the heavy traffic bound for the port-city from Dhaka.