Traffic movement through the much-anticipated “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel” began at 6:00am today.  

With this, Bangladesh entered the era of tunnel built beneath the river Karnaphuli in the port city Chattogram.

The enthusiastic people who were eagerly waiting for the moment thronged the both ends for passing through the architectural marvel before the scheduled time.  

They expressed their joy for being part of the history and hoped that the improved connectivity will make the transportation to and from South Chattogram more smoother.  

On-duty Toll Manager Belayet Hossain told the Daily Sun that there are some 16 toll collecting booths at the tunnel’s toll plaza at Anwara end.

Of them, four are kept reserved while they were collecting toll at 12 booths from the vehicles from the both ends, said Belayet. 

The Deputy Project Director (DPD) Abul Kalam Azad said necessary steps were taken to allow vehicles from the morning.

Earlier, the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the mega and unique project of the country on Saturday.

A public notice issued by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority requested the users to abide by some rules for overall safety and protecting longevity of the tunnel.

The notice said the highest speed limit inside the tunnel would be 60 km per hour and no vehicle beyond the fixed weight, width and height will be allowed.

Vehicles to be used for carrying firearm, explosive and fuel, and the three-wheelers including rickshaw, van, CNG-run auto-rickshaw and auto-rickshaws, motorcycle, cycle, non-motorised ones and people passing on foot will not be allowed inside the tunnel, it read.

No vehicle will also be allowed to stop inside the tunnel while capturing photos will remain prohibited.

On the other hand, according to the toll set by the authority, personal vehicles, jeeps and pickups have to pay Tk 200 to pass through the tunnel.

The microbuses have to pay Tk 250 while buses with 31 or less seats and 32 or more seats have to pay Tk 300 and Tk 400 respectively, buses having three axles Tk 500, trucks of five, eight and 11 tonnes capacity Tk 400, Tk 500 and Tk 600 respectively, truck and trailer of three and four axles and more Tk 800 and Tk 1,000. Tk 200 more has to pay for each additional axel.