Flammable materials to be prohibited in Karnaphuli tunnel
GBNEWS24DESK//
Scanners will be installed at both ends of the Karnaphuli tunnel in Chattogram to make sure that vehicles carrying flammable goods cannot use the underwater structure.
“Vehicles carry flammable goods and combustible materials will not be allowed to access the tunnel … ,” Harunur Rashid Chowdhury, project director of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel project, told The Daily Star.
Carrying of inflammable goods and combustible materials like LPG cylinders, gas, kerosene oil, hydrogen gas and all kinds of fuel through the tunnel would not be allowed on safety grounds.
“We have decided that each vehicle will be scanned before they enter the tunnel to ensure safety and security,” the PD said.
The construction of the 3.32km tunnel under the Karnaphuli river is scheduled to be completed by December at a cost of Tk 10,374.42 crore.
Installation of scanners was not part of the project.
Asked if the project cost would increase for the inclusion of the scanners, Harunur said they would try to keep the expenses within the total project cost.
Project officials said 91 percent work of the first ever underwater tunnel in South Asia has been completed until Friday.
They said despite some concern over possible congestions due to scanning of vehicles, the decision to install scanners was made with security in mind.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) officials had expressed concern that the scanning of vehicles might create tailbacks at both ends of the tunnel, which may ultimately discourage transport operators from using the structure, said an official with knowledge of the project.
However, after being apprised of the problem, all authorities concerned opined in favour of the scanners, said the official.
Comments are closed.