Govt clears purchase of 28 maintenance vehicles for work

Even though the government has stopped buying all types of vehicles, it has approved the purchase of equipment and vehicles for operation and maintenance work of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under special arrangements.

Sources at the Ministry of Communications and Bangladesh Bridge Authority said 28 vehicles will be procured for operation and maintenance work of the 3.32-km long tunnel under the River Karnaphuli in Chattogram. The vehicles include truck, mini-bus, mini-truck, pickup, jeep and microbus.

On December 13 last year, the government instructed to stop buying all types of vehicles for operation and maintenance work. A circular had also been issued in this regard.

The bridge authorities say there is a need for constant monitoring and quick removal of accident-prone vehicles aiming to ensure the safety of the tunnel. These vehicles and equipment must be kept standby to ensure smooth traffic through the tunnel.

Director of Bangladesh Bridge Authority Kazi Md. Ferdaus said taking the issue into account, the government has given approval to purchase the vehicles from its own funds for operation and maintenance work of the tunnel. “If these vehicles are not procured, the authorities will not be able to ensure the safety of the tunnel,” he added.

On December 7 in 2022, an agreement was signed between the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority in this regard. As per the deal, approval has been given to purchase these vehicles for operation and maintenance work of the tunnel.

The government has undertaken this project with the aim to connect the two sides of the River Karnaphuli to build ‘One City Two Town’ on the model of Shanghai. The length of the main tunnel is 3.32 km while the length of the tunnel tube is 2.45 kilometers and its inner diameter is 10.80 meters.

The project was approved in November 2015. Initially, its cost was estimated at Tk 8 thousand 446.64 crore but later it increased to Tk 10 thousand 374.42 crore. Of the total amount, Exim Bank of China is providing Tk 5,913.19 crore at 2 per cent interest while the government of Bangladesh is giving the rest of the money.

The government has appointed CCCC as the service provider or operator for the maintenance work and toll collection of the 3.32-km long tunnel.