Bangladesh, China ink pact to build under-river tunnel

DHAKA: Bangladesh today signed an agreement with China to construct a 3.5-km tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong at a cost likely to be over $ 1 billion.

Bangladesh's Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges signed the deal with China Communications Construction Company in Beijing, ministry spokesperson Abu Naser said.

Bridges Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh in presence of Minister Obaidul Quader, Naser was quoted as saying by bdnews24.com.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Bangladesh and China for the tunnel during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Beijing visit in June last year.

The 3.5-km tunnel will cost 90 billion taka (about $ 1 billion), Road Transport Minister Quader said last year.

The tunnel would be connected to the proposed Asian Highway and to Chittagong-Cox's Bazar Highway, according to the minister.

It is expected to be completed by December 2018.