The construction of the 9.1km-long Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel -- which is the first of its kind in South-East Asia and which will pass under the Karnaphuli River -- is a definite step in the right direction for Bangladesh, with the potential to not only boost our economy, but improve the lives of our citizens.
This initiative is a good example of how every step the government takes is based on the needs of the people, and prioritizes their well-being above all else.
Since the bridge connects the main city and western side of the river to the industrial zones on the east, it has the potential to completely revolutionize Chittagong as a hub of commerce, while also simultaneously decreasing traffic congestion within our two major metropolises.
This sort of continuous infrastructural improvement will ensure that, not only Chittagong, but other parts of Bangladesh will be improved in terms of their potential as industrial and economic zones, and thereby pave the way towards decentralization.
As it stands, too much of what drives our economy rests on the shoulder of Dhaka city, and projects such as this will go a long way towards redistributing economic activity across the nation, benefitting the economy overall.
The construction of the tunnel also goes to show the globalized approach Bangladesh has taken, as the government collaborates with countries such as China to create long-lasting regional friendships -- a necessary step towards ensuring sustainable development.
The potential of the tunnel cannot be denied and we hope that its construction is dealt with in an efficient manner and not fall prey to the sort of red tape and corruption that is usually characteristic of our administrative projects.
The tunnel’s success is sure to inspire the government to take similar measures in other parts of the country.
