Help build Karnaphuli bridge: Noman

"Please, do not capitalise on the Karnaphuli bridge issue for political gain. If anybody does so, he will virtually make hostage the people of Chittagong as the 3rd Karnaphuli bridge is a long-felt demand of this region," he said while was addressing a rally at Laldighi Maidan here.

Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Chittagong city unit organised the rally to protest the conspiracy to block the work of 3rd Karnaphuli Bridge project with its President Abul Hashem Bakkar in the chair.

Sarwar Jamal Nizam MP and Dastagir Chowdhury also addressed the meeting.

Noman said the government has finalised the design of the bridge as per recommendations of the country's renowned experts, who had carried out the feasibility study and model test of this project.

"The bridge will be economically feasible, geographically and environmentally sustainable as all aspects, including possible siltation in the port channel, risk of natural calamities like cyclone and earthquake were taken into account before finalising the design," he said.

Noman alleged that Awami League and its allies under the leadership of Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury were trying to make uncertain the project's prospects in the name of suspension bridge ahead of the next election. This is being done with a motive to prove that the BNP government has failed to fulfill its commitment, he said.

In this context, Noman also said that most political parties and their leaders, including those of Awami League and the common people of Chittagong sincerely want timely implementation of the project.

Referring to the allegation that the proposed bridge would ultimately be harmful for the Chittagong port, the minister said the government has implemented and is implementing a good number of schemes to modernise the country's prime seaport involving Tk 1,300 crore.

He urged the Mayor to extend his wholehearted support for the smooth implementation of the bridge in the greater interest of the people of Chittagong.

Noman announced that a road march titled "Chalo Chalo-Karnaphuli Bridge Abhimukhe Chalo" (Let us move towards Karnaphuli Bridge site) will be staged in the port city to drum up support in favour of the project on July 5.