CHATTOGRAM, Oct 27, 2023 (BSS) - The Chattogram city and adjoining districts

wore a festive look as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday will open the
South Asia's first ever underwater multilane expressway tunnel constructed
beneath the river Karnaphuli connecting city's Patenga with Anwara upazila in
the district.

Both banks of the river Karnaphuli are adorned with gorgeous decorations and
illuminations as banners, festoons and colorful flags are flying and roads
have been painted colorfully to welcome Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, also Awami League president, who will also address a grand
public rally at KEPZ ground in Anwara at 12pm tomorrow.

Her last visit to the commercial capital of the country was in December when
she addressed a grand rally on Polo Ground in the port city Chattogram.

The premier will open the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel by
unveiling a plaque on the west bank of river Karnaphuli at Patenga at 10.30
am and another plaque at the south bank of the river at Anwara at 11am,
Motaheraul Islam Chowdhury, Al's Chattogram South District unit president,
told BSS.

"The people Chattogram and adjoining districts are eagerly waiting to witness
the historic event as the first ever under river tunnel. It's a pride for the
entire nation as the tunnel is first of its kind in South Asia," he said.

Md Mohiuddin, a Jubo League leader of Patiya upazila massive joy and
enthusiasm is seen among the people of Chattogram on the eve of the
inauguration of the mega project which has been implemented at a cost of Taka
10,374 crore.

The historic project which marks the creation of the country's first-ever
underwater tunnel is expected to usher in a new era for the development of
the economy and the communication sector, he added.

Md Abu Jahad, a resident of Anwara said every thoroughfare the city as well
as South Chattogram is now adorned with posters and banners having messages
of gratitude and congratulations from leaders and members of various levels
of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations to the premier for the
establishment of key road connectivity which will ease communication between
Chattogram and Cox's Bazar as well as other parts of the country.

Mofizur Rahman, general secretary of Chattogram South District Awami League,
said they are expecting a massive number of people nearly a million would
join the rally from various upazilas of Chattogram and adjoining districts of
Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari.

Touhidul Anwar Chowdhury, Upazila Chairman of Anwara said it's a 'dream comes
true' for millions especially for the residents of south Chattogram as it was
their beyond imagination that an underwater tunnel can be built in their
locality.

Faruk Chowdhury, Karnaphuli upazila chairman, said every people of south
Chattogram is now in mood of Eid, the largest festival of Muslims, ahead of
the inauguration of Bangabandhu tunnel.

He expected that the people must cast their votes in favour of AL in south
Chattogram constituencies as the Bangabandhu tunnel appears like "a gain
beyond expectations".

Industrialist Mujibur Rahman said the tunnel would help expand massive
industrialization and tourism industry by opening new doors of immense
potentials for trade and commerce and developing road connectivity in the
entire region.