The Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam claimed that the Karnaphuli Tunnel was constructed primarily for the benefit of former land minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed rather than national necessity.
He made these remarks on Wednesday during a discussion organized by the Development Journalists’ Forum of Bangladesh (DJFB) at the NEC Auditorium in the Planning Commission.
“We don’t need the Karnaphuli Tunnel right now. Maybe in 10 years it would have been necessary, but not at this moment,” Shafiqul stated, adding that the government is struggling to generate sufficient toll revenue to service the project’s loan.
He pointed out that the tunnel connects Patenga to Anwara Upazila, which is Jabed’s hometown, implying that the project was undertaken for personal reasons. "There is nothing significant on the other side except Anwara. He built the tunnel for his own convenience,” he alleged.
Shafiqul also highlighted a Tk450 crore seven-star hotel constructed in the area, questioning its viability. “Who will stay there? What attraction does the place have? This was made solely for personal interests,” he added.
He further suggested that Jabed may have assumed that the Awami League would remain in power until 2041, leading to what he described as wasteful expenditures. “Now, we are all bearing the burden. The government has no choice but to increase taxes to meet loan repayment obligations,” he said.
The Karnaphuli Tunnel, South Asia’s first underwater expressway tunnel, was inaugurated on 28 October 2023. The 3.32-kilometer tunnel, featuring two tubes with four lanes, connects Patenga on the western bank of the Karnaphuli River to Anwara on the east.
