Civil society against bridge on pillars

Civil society leaders at a meeting yesterday said that the third Karnaphuli bridge proposed to be constructed on pillars would cause siltation of the river and demanded a hanging bridge or tunnel.

The demand came as Prime Minister Khaleda Zia is coming to Chittagong today to lay the foundation of the Tk 450 crore bridge.

Participants at the meeting termed the bridge on pillar as suicidal for the nation as it would lead to siltation of the river and destroy navigability of the Chittagong Port.

They said the government in 1988 constructed Shah Amanat Bridge on pillars over the river defying expert opinion that caused heavy siltation. Now ships beyond 9 metre drought cannot reach the port.

The pledged to launch a movement for changing the plan to construct a hanging bridge or tunnel.

Former chairman of the port authority Mahmudul Islam, former Chief Enginner Sultan Mahmud, Honorary Consul General of Japan Nurul Islam, city planner Ali Ashraf, Commodore (Retd) A Z Nizamuddin took part in the discussion with Mayor A B M Mohiuddin Chowdhury in the chair.

Meanwhile, Chittagong (south) Nagorik Parishad at a press conference yesterday raised similar demand.

It said they would not oppose prime minister laying the foundation of the bridge today but launch a vigorous movement to change the existing plan of constructing the bridge on pillars.