DHAKA, Oct 27, 2023 (BSS)-President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister

Sheikh Hasina today greeted all concerned involved in the implementation of
the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel project as it will be
inaugurated tomorrow.
 
On the eve of the historic day, they also greeted the countrymen issuing
separate messages.
 
In his message, the President said:"I am very happy to know that 'Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' the latest addition to the construction of
communication infrastructure in Bangladesh, is being inaugurated."

The head of the state extended his best wishes and congratulations to those
involved in the implementation of this project, including the Bridges
Division and Bangladesh Bridge Authority.

Noting that the basic foundation of urbanization-industrialization is modern
communication system, he said that the government made unprecedented
development in the country's communication sector by adopting and
implementing comprehensive development plan.

To realize the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman, the country is moving forward to implement 'Vision 2041' under the
visionary leadership of his eldest daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he
mentioned.

The construction of Bangabandhu Tunnel is a shining example of the bold
leadership of the present government, he said, adding that the dream of
constructing a road communication tunnel under the Karnaphuli River has now
become a reality with the aim of building a 'One City Two Towns' based on the
model of Shanghai, China.

"This tunnel connects the two banks of Karnaphuli River," Shahabuddin
continued.

As a result of the construction of the Bangabandhu Tunnel, new doors of blue
economy are going to be unlocked around the Bay of Bengal from Mirsarai of
Chattogram to Cox's Bazar, he said.

The President hoped that this modern and time-saving communication system
will have a positive impact in increasing industrialization, trade,
investment flows and employment within and outside the country.

Besides, the port city of Chattogram and the overall economy of the country
will get a new momentum and will help in building a Smart Bangladesh, he
said.

This new pattern of construction-style and architecture will brighten the
image of the country in the outside world, he hoped.

He believed that the 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' will be
established as a milestone in the development of communication system in
coming days.

In her message, the Prime Minister said the inauguration of the much-
anticipated Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel constructed beneath the
Karnaphuli River, is a glorious and memorable day for Bangladesh.

She greeted all local and foreign engineers, consultants, expert panels,
Bridge Division and Bangladesh Bridge Authority officials, Bangladesh Navy
and construction workers engaged in the implementation of this high-tech
project as the Bangabandhu Tunnel project could not be accomplished without
their contribution and tireless efforts.

The greatest Bangalee of all time as well as the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman rebuilt the war-torn country after being in
power for only 3 years, 7 months and 3 days, the premier said, adding that
during the war of liberation, Pakistani occupation force destroyed 278
railway bridges and 270 road bridges.

The Father of the Nation re-established the communication system by building
and repairing roads, bailey-bridges, railways and rail-bridges destroyed in
the War of Liberation, she mentioned.

Bangabandhu initiated the development journey by re-establishing the
communication infrastructure to reconstruct the war-torn Bangladesh by giving
top priority to the country's transport and communication sector in the First
Five Year Plan, she said.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman started the program to bring the country
under a modern and uninterrupted network, she added.

Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the Awami League (AL)-
led government has brought great changes in the communication sector in the
last 15 years, she mentioned.

The present government has built Padma Bridge with country's own funding, she
said, adding that the infrastructure built across the country including
roads, highways, bridges, expressways and flyovers is playing a significant
role in improving the quality of life of the people and economic growth of
the country.

As a result of the construction of the much awaited 'Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' for Chattogram residents, the port city of Chattogram
will be visible in the 'One City Two Towns' model, she continued.

This tunnel will play a groundbreaking role in the development of the
communication system of the south-eastern part of the country, connection to
the Asian highway network, reduction of traffic congestion in Chattogram
city, the development of the industrial area and tourism industry in the
Anwara area and the transportation of goods to the Chattogram port as well as
the proposed Matarbari deep sea port, she said.

Bangladesh's GDP will increase by about 0.166 percent if the tunnel is
opened, she added.

The 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' has taken the country one step
further in the journey towards building Smart Bangladesh by introducing a new
level of advanced technology road communication system in this region, she
said.

The premier mentioned that 'Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel' is the
first road tunnel beneath the river in Bangladesh cum South Asia.

This new chapter of development has been unfolded today due to the trust and
unwavering support of the patriotic people, she said, adding that the
government will work sincerely to fulfill the hopes and dreams of the people
in the coming days.

"With the collective efforts of all, we will be able to build a hunger-
poverty-free 'Golden Bangladesh' cum 'Smart Bangladesh' based on knowledge,
science and technology as dreamt by the Father of the Nation, Insha Allah,"
she hoped.