The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has issued a second tender invitation to lease out and operate the luxury resort and service area facilities near the Karnaphuli Tunnel in Anwara, Chattogram, as the first call drew a poor response from bidders.

According to officials, the re-tender, published on 6 October with a submission deadline of 4 November, comes with relaxed eligibility criteria to attract more participants, including provisions for joint ventures between local and foreign companies.

The lease will be granted for a 29-year term for the operation and maintenance of the facilities.

“We received only two proposals in the first round, but neither met our expectations,” said BBA Director (Admin) Altaf Hossain Sheikh. “That is why we have reissued the tender with slightly eased conditions.”

In the first tender issued on 29 June 2025, bidders were required to have at least five years of general experience in hotel or resort management as lessee or operator.

They also needed to have completed one contract lasting at least five years in a four-star or higher facility within the last 20 years, with a minimum of Tk100 crore in liquid assets.

Under the revised tender issued on 29 September 2025, the conditions have been eased. In the case of a joint venture, the lead partner must have five years and the secondary partner at least one year of relevant experience.

Specific experience now requires one contract of at least three years in a four-star or above establishment within the last 20 years. The minimum liquid assets requirement has been reduced to Tk40 crore, and bidders must have a minimum annual turnover of Tk35 crore in any three of the past five years from hotel or hospitality operations.

The resort complex, constructed at a cost of around Tk450 crore on 72 acres of land, includes a VIP bungalow, 30 guest bungalows, 48 motel units, a convention centre, restaurants, gymnasium, office spaces, swimming pool, amphitheatre, museum, mosque and landscaped recreational zones.

The facilities were built alongside the Karnaphuli Tunnel with funding from the Exim Bank of China, which provided a Tk6,700 crore loan at a 2.2% interest rate. The loan is to be repaid from the income generated through the rental of the tunnel’s ancillary structures.

Construction began in February 2019 and was completed in October 2023.

BBA Executive Director and Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the authority is open to several options if no qualified operator is found.

“We received one proposal from an international hotel chain, but it was below our estimated value,” he said. “If we fail to secure a suitable operator, we may hand over management to the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation or operate it through our own manpower after revising the organogram.”

The secretary expressed optimism about finding an eligible operator this time, noting the resort’s seaside location and scenic surroundings, which make it ideal for tourism and high-end hospitality.

____________________________________________

The reporter can be reached at [email protected]

Edited by Harun Md. Shahed Bin Naim