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The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has undertaken a Tk 336-crore project to develop a direct road link between Anwara and Chandanaish, aiming to increase traffic through the Karnaphuli Tunnel and reduce its mounting losses.
The 17-kilometre road will connect Kalabibir Dighi intersection in Anwara with Gachbaria College Gate on the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway in Chandanaish.
The project, titled “Tunnel Connecting to Gachbaria Road Development Project”, has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The Karnaphuli Tunnel, the country’s first underwater road tunnel, was built at a cost of Tk 10,374 crore and opened to traffic on October 29, 2023.
However, traffic has remained well below expectations. The government is now losing around Tk 3.5 crore to Tk 4 crore a month as toll earnings remain significantly lower than operating and maintenance costs.
Recent figures show average monthly toll collection at around Tk 3.37 crore against operating and maintenance expenses of Tk 6.95 crore.
RHD officials said the roads currently linked to the tunnel are not suitable for long-distance traffic. Vehicles heading towards Cox’s Bazar have to take a roundabout route through Anwara and Patiya or travel via Pekua.
RHD Executive Engineer for Chattogram South Pintu Chakma said the new road would provide a direct connection to the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway and cut travel time to Cox’s Bazar by around 30 minutes.
“We expect traffic through the tunnel to increase significantly once the road is completed,” he told BSS.
The project has been divided into two sections. The Anwara-Kalabibir Dighi-Barkal Bridge section will cost about Tk 182 crore, while Tk 144 crore has been allocated for the Barkal Bridge-Gachbaria College Gate section.
Tendering for both sections has been completed, and construction will begin after work orders are issued. The project is expected to be completed within two years of the start of construction.
The road will also be widened, bends will be improved and bridges, culverts and drainage facilities will be upgraded to support increased traffic.
Officials and local stakeholders expect the project to boost trade, transport and industrial activity in South Chattogram and improve connectivity with Cox’s Bazar.