Dhaka, March 19 -- Karnaphuli Tunnel Service Area will be leased to private sector to deal with heavy losses the Karnaphuli underwater tunnel and the service area have been incurring daily.

The housing facilities in the service area, which surrounds the country's first underwater tunnel, have remained mostly unused since it was made open for use in December 2024.

Confirming that the accommodation facilities will be given to the private sector, Karnaphuli Tunnel Project Superintendent Engineer Abul Kalam Azad said, "Tenders will be invited soon. Leasing these bungalows to a tourism-focused organisation could help minimise the government's losses."

The daily maintenance loss incurred by the tunnel -- inaugurated in 2023 -- is Tk 2.6 mill...