Karnaphuli River

Karnaphuli River
Aerial view of the Karnaphuli River estuary
Countries	India, Bangladesh
Cities	Chittagong
Basin features
Main source	Lusai Hill, Mizoram, India
River mouth	Bay of Bengal
Physical characteristics
Length	270 kilometres (170 mi)

Karnaphuli (Bengali: কর্ণফুলি Kôrnophuli; also spelt Karnafuli), the largest and most important river in Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, is a 667-metre (2,188 ft) wide river in the south-eastern part of Bangladesh. Originating from the Lushai hills in Mizoram, India, it flows 270 kilometres (170 mi) southwest through Chittagong Hill Tracts and Chittagong into the Bay of Bengal. A large hydroelectric power plant using Karnaphuli river was built in the Kaptai region during the 1960s. The mouth of the river hosts Chittagong's sea port, the main port of Bangladesh.

Chittagong is situated on the banks of the Karnaphuli River between the Chittagong Hill Tracts and the Bay of Bengal. The city is a noteworthy seaside seaport city and monetary focus in southeastern Bangladesh. The Chittagong Metropolitan Area has a populace of more than 6.5 million, making it the second biggest city in Bangladesh. It is the capital of an eponymous locale and division. A water treatment plant has been set up by Chittagong Port Authority to source water from the Karnaphuli river for its uses. The plant will make the port self-reliant in its water needs.

The Government has awarded a contract to build a two lane Karnaphuli tunnel underneath the Karnaphuli river to China Communication Construction Company (CCCC). This will be the first underwater tunnel in Bangladesh. CCCC will receive $706 million for its services with total costs expected to be over $1 billion.

The river is home to Ganges river dolphin, which is an endangered species.Hilsa used to be common in the river, but have nearly disappeared from the river due to pollution.