Illegal Shops Block Karnaphuli Tunnel Entrance, Disrupting Traffic and Compromising Security
Several illegal shops and markets have been built by occupying land belonging to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the Karnaphuli Tunnel authorities in Anwara upazila of Chittagong. Goods from these shops are being placed on the main road, disrupting traffic and increasing the risk of congestion and accidents. With the footpaths occupied, pedestrians are also forced to walk on the main road.
A field visit found several shops and markets built on government land from the Anwara-side entrance of the Karnaphuli Tunnel to the southern side of Mohammad Ali Jame Mosque, before Chattari Chowmuhani Bazar. These include Syednur Market, Shawkat Osman Market and several newly established structures. Shopkeepers are conducting business while keeping their goods on the road.
Local residents alleged that land had been acquired in two phases to ensure smooth traffic movement and prevent congestion at the Anwara entrance of the Karnaphuli Tunnel. However, the construction of shops on the acquired land has created obstacles for vehicles entering and leaving the tunnel. The situation becomes particularly severe during busy hours.
Local CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver Anwar Mia said, “As shop goods are kept on the road, even two CNGs cannot pass side by side. How will large buses and trucks move through the road? Hundreds of vehicles leave the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) at the same time during closing hours, causing severe traffic congestion.”
Pedestrian Abdul Karim said, “The authorities acquired land in two phases to ensure smooth traffic movement at the tunnel entrance. Yet some businesspeople have occupied that land. Unless these illegal structures are evicted, traffic congestion will become permanent in this area, and minor accidents will also increase.”
Abdullah Al Noman Parvez, sub-divisional assistant engineer of the Roads and Highways Department, said road construction was underway on the eastern side of Chattari Chowmuhani Bazar, while drainage work was ongoing on the western side. However, the work had not yet reached the tunnel entrance. He said the area would be inspected and necessary measures would be taken.
Karnaphuli Tunnel official Golam Samdani Himel said an application had been submitted to senior officials seeking permission to evict illegal shops occupying tunnel property. He expressed hope that action would be taken soon.
