Keep Karnaphuli bridge issue above politics

"Construction of the 3rd Karnaphuli bridge is a long-felt demand of the people here. It is not important which government has initiated this project as the previous Awami League government has also tried to build this bridge," he said, while addressing the inaugural session of a 10-day Tree Fair at Laldighi Maidan in the port city.

Meanwhile, the Roads and Highways Department has fixed August 7 as the date for starting physical construction work of the bridge through a ground breaking ceremony.

Chittagong Mayor Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury announced a series of agitation programmes demanding hanging bridge instead of a concrete-pillar structure.

Abdullah Al Noman said the bridge would protect the economic interest of the region as the area has vast potentials with natural resources. The bridge would also greatly help promote industrialisation and cross-border trade, he said.

He thanked Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for her sincere and personal efforts in arranging foreign funds for the project by convincing the Kuwait government in a short span of time.

The minister said the government considering the priority of Chittagong port as the country's economic lifeline has attached utmost importance for its development and modernisation to elevate it to an international port.

"Adequate funds have already been allocated for carrying out dredging of the port channel to maintain its navigability," he added.