Over the last couple of years, the Bangladesh Bank has been in the numismatic headline for their commemorative banknote releases. In 2022 they released 3 different commemorative banknotes throughout the year. It’s not common for Central Banks to release commemorative banknotes like these three times per year but, it’s a very welcomed surprise for the numismatic community. These commemorative banknotes have been dedicated to Bangladeshi infrastructure, national sovereignty, and the constitution. Read along to learn about the new Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel.
One of their past releases is the Bangladesh 50 Taka, 2022 that commemorated the opening of the Dhaka Metro Rail. Its obverse features Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed and the Dhaka Metro Rail. The reverse depicts the Metrorail elevated railway tracks and the bank logo.
On October 29, 2023, the Central Bank of Bangladesh introduced a brand-new commemorative banknote. This banknote is dedicated to the advancement of Bangladesh’s’ engineering, infrastructure. The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (BSMRT) is the main subject of this banknote. This is an underwater expressway tunnel where vehicles transit through and it is also the first of its kind in South Asia.
The tunnel is located in the city of Chittagong and the tunnel is located under the Karnaphuli River. The BSMRT is 9.39 kilometers (5.83 mi) long and 10.80 meters (2.06 mi) in diameter. It was built and financed with the help of China and its estimated cost is around $1.1 Billion USD. The construction of the tunnel began in 2017 and on October 28, 2023 it was finally inaugurated by the Bangladesh government, the following day operation began.
Bangladesh 50 Taka, 2023. The banknote is colored in shades of yellow, white, and blue. The obverse side features portraits of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In the center of the banknote is an image of the entrance and exit of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (BSMRT). The reverse side features a large image of the inside view of the BSMRT with text that reads “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel” “Connectivity Creates Opportunity” also on the upper right hand corner is an image of the Bank of Bangladesh seal.
Sources:
https://www.bb.org.bd/en/index.php/currency/commemnote
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/1030/c90000-20090472.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangabandhu_Sheikh_Mujibur_Rahman_Tunnel
