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Download PDF A parliamentary body yesterday saw a strong debate between the ruling and opposition lawmakers over construction of the third Karnaphuli Bridge in Chittagong.
The parliamentary standing committee on shipping ministry at the meeting recommended that the communications ministry go ahead with its plan to set up a pillar bridge over the Karnaphuli and said there is no reason for worries about navigability of the river or operation of the port.
But the committee members from the opposition Awami League (AL) expressed strong disapproval of the move and said a pillar-based bridge will be harmful for the river and might threaten the existence of the country’s premier port.
Describing the decision as suicidal, the opposition members asked the government to change its stance. They said the ruling coalition has rushed into the decision mainly ‘to gain cheap popular support in a bid to clear the election hurdle’.
The committee recommendation however says that the people of Chittagong do not want any politics over the issue. A bridge over the Karnaphuli will be of great use in accelerating the country’s overall economic growth, it added.
Ministry officials at the meeting said the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) under the communications ministry issued work order for the Tk 3.38-billion project in favour of China Major Bridge (CMB) on July 13.
Anwar Hossain, chief engineer of roads and highways, briefed the meeting that only three pillars will be set up and they will not do any harm to the river.
“A suspension bridge would take over Tk 200 crore as it will have to be 900 meter longer than the pillar-based bridge,” he was quoted as saying.
The AL lawmakers at that point cited from the evaluation reports of CPA, Buet, Water Resources Division, BTRC and River Research Institute that ‘prescribe for a suspension bridge’.
“The extra-dose bridge, if constructed, will cause massive silt deposition on the riverbed, ultimately affecting usability of the port,” AL lawmaker Fazle Karim Chowdhury told the meeting.
Echoing the view, AL lawmaker Talukdar Abdul Khaleq said, “The government will have to bear the responsibilities if it [pillar bridge] causes any damage to the Chittagong port.”
GM Siraj, chairman of the committee, however, said, “We are satisfied with the government move to construct a pillar-based bridge.”
He also urged the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor ABM Mohiuddin to refrain from politicking over the issue.
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