South Asia's 1st underwater tunnel marks partial completion in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaking virtually at a ceremony to celebrate the successful completion of the civil work for a tube of China-funded mega-river tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh on Nov. 26, 2022. (Xinhua)

This tunnel will significantly optimize local transportation and will facilitate connectivity between Bangladesh and neighboring countries, demonstrating Bangladesh's pivotal role in regional connectivity, and a hub among the Belt and Road countries, said the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh.

CHITTAGONG, Bangladesh, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- An underwater tunnel in Bangladesh built by a Chinese company has marked the civil works completion of its south tube.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, the first underwater tunnel in South Asia, is located at the estuary of the Kanapuri River in Chittagong City, and connects the east and west banks of the Kanapuri River.

Constructed by China Communication Construction Co Ltd, the tunnel runs 9.3 km long with a design speed of 80 km per hour. The project was supported by the Export-Import Bank of China with preferential credit.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming celebrates at a ceremony the successful completion of the civil work for a tube of China-funded mega-river tunnel in Chattogram, Bangladesh on Nov. 26, 2022. (Xinhua)

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina joined a celebration on Saturday virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka, appreciating all efforts involved in the construction of the project.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming said this tunnel will significantly optimize local transportation and will facilitate connectivity between Bangladesh and neighboring countries, demonstrating Bangladesh's pivotal role in regional connectivity, and a hub among the Belt and Road countries.

The project is also the first large-diameter underwater shield tunnel undertaken by a Chinese company overseas