Govt. sets toll rates for Karnaphuli Tunnel

The toll rates for Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel has been fixed. Alon with this tunnel which is built under the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong has become enlisted as one of the latest KPI also. 

Meanwhile, the bridges division issued a notification finalizing the toll rate according to the class of vehicles on Thursday (July 13).

According to the notification, a total of 12 types of vehicles will have to pay toll at Bangabandhu Tunnel. And this rate will come into effect from the day the tunnel is opened for vehicular movement.

But yet no date has been declared and decided for the official opening of the tunnel.

Also, the minimum toll in the 3.43-km-long Bangabandhu Tunnel is fixed Tk 200 for the private cars and pick-up trucks. Whereas the toll for microbuses is Tk 250. and buses less than 31 seats capacity holds with Tk 300 while buses with more than 32 seats will have to pay Tk 400. The toll for big buses with 3XL has been fixed at Tk 500 is mentioned in the published notification. 

The toll for trucks capable of carrying goods up to five tonnes has been fixed at Tk 400. Eight-ton trucks will have to pay Tk 500 and Tk 600 toll has been fixed for 11-ton trucks.

The 3XL trailer will have to pay Tk 800 in toll to cross the tunnel. Meanwhile, a 4XL trailer will pay Tk 1,000. where an additional Tk 200 toll will be added for more XL.

Meanwhile, motorcycles won’t be allowed to ply through the Karnaphuli tunnel, the notification further reads.

It is worth noting that the drivers will have to pay two and half to six times the toll they usually have to pay while crossing Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Bridge.

A study revealed, 28,305 vehicles will traverse through this Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel an average on a daily basis by the year 2025. Also it estimates that by 2030, the number of vehicles is expected to increase to 37,946, and by 2067, the target has been set at an average of 162,000 vehicles per day.

Source: UNB