The New Nation - Internet Edition

Chitagong Correspondent

Despite massive opposition from different corners on the move to build a concrete-pillar supported bridge on the river Karnaphuli, construction of Karnaphuli Bridge-III project is progressing fast

Officials of China Major Bridge Engineering Company, authorized contractor of the bridge, said that they had been working smoothly to build the bridge under the approved design and technology.

If nothing happens wrong, they hoped that the construction work would finish approximately six to eight months before the stipulated 38-month time.

Meanwhile, piling works of the two pillars of north side of the river was already completed while piling works of the other five pillars and works of the connecting roads in both the riversides are continuing

in full swing. Immediate past Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, now in jail, formally laid the foundation stone of the 950 meters long and 24 meters wide Karnaphuli Bridge-III on April 19, 2003 and the groundbreaking of the bridge has started on August 8, 2006.

According to experts' opinions, the pillar-supported Karnaphuli Bridge-III may cause quick rising of the riverbed in the down stream of the river Karnaphuli.

They also feared that the pillar supported bridge would ultimately destroy the navigation channel of Chitagong maritime port in near future.