Ctg mayor ready to talk with govt

"If the government stops its move for constructing a pillar-based bridge over the river Karnaphuli and invites me through a formal letter to discuss the issue, I would join the discussion," he said.

The mayor was addressing a press conference organised by Nagorik Committee Chittagong on the issue at CCC auditorium.

He alleged that the government in a planned way to destroy the country's premier seaport has decided to construct the pillar-based bridge.

As the third bridge was one of the top election-pledges of the four-party alliance, they are trying to take benefits from the people of South Chittagong in the upcoming national election by starting the construction work of the bridge at the eleventh hour, the mayor observed.

"We need a bridge on the Karnaphuli but we also want to make it sure that it must be a suspension bridge," he said.

The mayor threatened that if Communication Minister Nazmul Huda, who is scheduled to address a rally organised by the Third Karnaphuli Bridge Execution Committee at Laldighi Maidan, does not cancel the decision for constructing pillar-based bridge they (mayor) would resist the move at any cost.

"If he (Huda) cancels the move, we would provide all kinds of help to construct the bridge," said the mayor.

Mohiuddin also reiterated his decision to file a case with the High Court in next ten days against the implementation of pillar-based bridge over the river Karnaphuli.

He denied the allegation against him of making a conspiracy to obstruct the development of Chittagong.

Chittagong city Awami League General Secretary Inamul Haque Danu, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) city unit President Shah Alam, Gono Forum city unit President M Kafil Uddin and Prof Saber Ahmed of Jatiya Party were present at the press conference.