Karnaphuli Tunnel’s service area holds tourism promises, but tall order ahead

Infograph: TBS

The large, well-equipped service area near the Anwara end of the Karnaphuli Tunnel in Chattogram has the potential to become a major tourism destination, according to sector insiders.

Located between the Bay of Bengal and the Karnaphuli River, and flanked by two beaches only a kilometre apart, the site offers a unique combination of scenic beauty and accessibility.

It is just 4km from Shah Amanat International Airport, with Chattogram Port and four export processing zones within a 10-kilometre radius.

Tourism planners say the area could serve as a hub for foreign buyers and investors visiting nearby industrial zones, as well as domestic travellers seeking luxury leisure options.

However, they note that the site was originally designed as a high-end residential zone rather than a dedicated tourism facility. To become commercially viable as a tourism destination, further development and redesign would be needed.

In a move to bring the underutilised space into operation, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority on 29 June invited international tenders to lease the service area for tourism-related use.

The lease period will be nearly 30 years, with interested parties able to submit bids until 27 August.

Confirming the development, Secretary of the Bridges Division Mohammad Abdur Rouf told The Business Standard, "The service area already has world-class infrastructure. Leasing it will not only increase revenue but also make these facilities accessible to the public. It can play a significant role in promoting tourism and offsetting the losses incurred by the tunnel."

He added, "After receiving proposals from the bidders, we will discuss their development plans and make decisions that benefit both parties."

What's on site

Spanning 72 acres, the complex features a VVIP bungalow surrounded by 30 architecturally designed cottages, a modern restaurant, and a convention centre.

Amenities include a swimming pool, gymnasium, food court, sports field, tennis court, and a dedicated entertainment zone.

Other facilities include an amphitheatre, museum, mosque, health centre, water treatment plant, and 24/7 power backup, all set within landscaped grounds with walkways and internal roads.

Didarul Absar Didear, director of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) and CEO of Chattogram-based Bangladesh Eco Tours, said the service area holds immense potential to become a vibrant tourism hub. 

"However, it requires integrated planning and standardised management – something that remains difficult to achieve in Bangladesh due to bureaucratic complications," he added.

Reflecting on his experience, Didar said, "I've been working in the inbound tourism sector in Bangladesh for the past 30 years. But now, I feel disheartened by the government's policies and management. Our country has many attractions that could appeal to foreign tourists, yet we fail to capitalise on them due to poor planning and mismanagement."

Tunnel underused

Despite the tunnel's official opening on 28 October 2023, the service area has remained unused due to the absence of operational staff. Constructed at a cost of around Tk450 crore as part of the broader Tk10,690 crore tunnel project, the site has drawn criticism for remaining inactive.

Tunnel usage has also remained low, with an average of 3,934 vehicles passing through daily. Toll collections amount to about Tk10.4 lakh per day, covering only 30% of the daily operational cost of Tk37.5 lakh.

This has resulted in daily losses exceeding Tk26.5 lakh and a cumulative deficit of over Tk90 crore.

Bridges Secretary Rouf said the government is working to boost tunnel usage.

"A project to expand the road connecting to the Cox's Bazar Highway via Anwara will be launched soon. Once completed, vehicles travelling to Cox's Bazar can bypass Chattogram city, which will reduce traffic congestion and increase tunnel use," he said.

He also pointed to nearby development projects such as the Chinese Economic Zone and a new residential area being built by the Chattogram Development Authority in Anwara, both of which are expected to increase traffic and reduce losses.

Area needs reconfiguration

Brigadier General ASM Ali, chief executive officer of Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View, said the service area holds strong potential but may need to be reconfigured to function effectively as a tourism destination.

"It can be developed into a resort rather than a hotel, as the accommodation capacity is comparatively low. There is a beach adjacent to the service area, but guests do not have access to it. The nearby river estuary is also inaccessible," he said.

"To transform it into a vibrant tourism hub, the area needs to be redesigned with additional establishments and facilities," he further said.

He added that attracting only foreign holidaymakers would not be enough to make the area commercially viable. "There should be more activities to attract local day tourists," he said.

He also suggested that a feasibility study by an international consultant could have helped guide development before tenders were floated.

If brought into operation through a successful lease, the service area could mark a new chapter in Chattogram's tourism landscape, offering a scenic and well-connected destination for both domestic and international visitors.