'Pillar bridge to hamper navigability'

They said a taskforce like Buriganga Save Taskforce should be formed to safeguard the Karnaphuli river from illegal encroachment and pollution.

The press conference was organised by Nagarik Sanghati at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium.

Presenting a keynote paper Engineer Sardar Amin said, "Karnaphuli river carries huge amount of sediment from the upstream. The navigability of the river will be hampered and the port channel will be threatened if pillar-based bridge is constructed."

He said the government should make the design of the bridge as per the recommendations of the experts of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.

Water Engineers Association President Engineer Inamul Haque said the construction of the bridge on a faulty design would create shoals threatening the existence of the port in the long run.

"Such a construction will also be a wastage of huge public funds," he added.

Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) General Secretary Mahidul Haque Khan said a pillar-based bridge is not suitable for 132-mile-long Karnaphuli river.

"Chittagong Port Authority and Ministry of Shipping have recommended for a suspension bridge. So the decision should be taken considering environment and river flow, and not the political interest of vested quarters," he said.

Sharifuzzaman Sharif, general secretary of Nagarik Sanghati, said normal flow of the river should not be disturbed in the name of bridge or river training.

"Views of experts should be taken into consideration while making the design of any bridge," he added.

Presided over by former director general of Water Development Board Mashrur Haque Siddiqui, the press conference was also attended by Engineers Kamrul Haque, Abdul Hakim, Manjur Ali and Kabir Hossain, Dr Mustak Hossain and Bhashkar Rasa.