Life Around Anwara’s Bairag Transformed After Karnaphuli Tunnel Opens

The opening of the Karnaphuli Tunnel has dramatically changed the landscape of Bairag in Anwara, Chattogram. After sunset, the area around what locals now call the “China Road” buzzes with activity—people gathering for conversations, stopping by food stalls, and taking selfies. Early morning photos capture the calmer side of the road.

A few years ago, this area was almost deserted, with very little foot traffic. Today, the story is entirely different. Parallel to the China Economic Zone, four new roads have turned the region into a lively hotspot, earning it the nickname “China Road” among residents and visitors.

This scene unfolds along the road connecting to the Karnaphuli Tunnel. Just half a kilometer past the tunnel from Patenga, the road enters Bairag in Anwara Upazila, now one of the busiest spots in the area.

Locals report that the area comes alive every afternoon. Visitors from the city come to see the tunnel, families arrive to spend some leisure time, and groups of bikers pass through—turning the road into a mini-festival. Some stop to enjoy snacks at the new eateries, others chat with friends, and many capture the vibrant scene in photographs.

Several residents noted that since the tunnel’s inauguration on October 28, 2023, the local economy has seen a noticeable boost. Many travelers now pause briefly in Bairag, especially in the evenings, gradually increasing foot traffic that continues late into the night.

“From the afternoon, lots of people come here. Daily sales range between four and five thousand taka, with Thursday and Friday seeing even higher numbers. Sales often continue until midnight,” said Mohammad Ayub, a local fuchka seller.

The growing crowds have encouraged a variety of restaurants and snack shops to spring up. From puchka, chotpoti, and onion fritters to chicken samosas, rolls, tea, coffee, pickles, biryani, Chinese dishes, and Indian cuisine, the area now caters to all tastes, attracting food enthusiasts regularly.

A recent visit revealed that shopkeepers have arranged chairs and tables neatly along the wide road. Visitors park their cars, enjoy tea or snacks, and chat, while many photograph the tunnel’s lights as a backdrop. Traffic flows continuously along the road, with both small and large vehicles passing by.

Rizwan Sohel, a visitor from Saudi Arabia, “I came home for the holidays and brought my wife and children to see the tunnel road. We stopped at a nearby eatery and also took some pictures. Overall, it feels very pleasant.”

The crowd has not only attracted visitors but also encouraged locals to establish more food stalls and eateries. Saiful Alam, visiting from Sitakunda, said: “On our way back from the tunnel, we saw hundreds of people enjoying snacks and socializing. We decided to stop, have a quick bite, and then continue our journey.”

Local vendors like Mohammad Ayub, Jahed Moni, Md. Yasin, Md. Lokman, Md. Shafiqul Rahman, and Md. Kaiser all confirm that business has increased since the tunnel opened. The growing influx of visitors has prompted them to expand their food stalls, gradually boosting daily sales.

Anwara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Tahmina Akter stated that more food stalls have emerged due to increasing visitors. Plans are underway to provide better facilities, including shaded seating, for both visitors and vendors.