PM's 'Karnaphuli bridge' promise falls flat

Kalurghat Bridge (Left) has developed several big cracks with huge holes over the years. And despite having rail bits on the entry points of Shah Amanat Bridge (Right) to bar heavy vehicles, they find no difficulty by giving their bodies special shape to cross the bridge risking the lives of passengers. PHOTO: Zobaer Hossain Sikder

These two bridges on the river Karnaphuli have linked Chittagong city with most of the areas in greater Chittagong, including Cox's Bazar and Bandarban districts.

People of vast areas such as Patiya, Anwara, Boalkhali, Chandanaish, Lohagara, Satkania and Banshkhali depend on both the bridges for communications.

About 10 to 15 lakh people of southern Chittagong will be cut off from the rest of the country if the two all-important bridges can no longer handle the traffic.

Although Kalurghat Bridge is still serving well, it had developed several big cracks over the years. The bridge was the only option for about 10 to 15 lakh people of southern Chittagong to travel by road until 1991 when the Shah Amanat Bridge was built against the backdrop of 1991 cyclone.

On the other hand, the Shah Amanat Bridge has never been a smooth track for vehicles since its opening. Rather, it remains a 'death-trap' for the passengers as it is so fragile and ramshackle.

Each day, passengers run the risk of fatal accidents while crossing the bridges. But the authorities have turned a blind eye to this danger.

In such a situation, construction of a third bridge on the Karnaphuli is the crying need of the time. This necessity should be given top-most priority, as the existing two bridges are unable to bear huge load any longer.

In her election pledge, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia said her government would start building the third bridge within three months of coming to power, but there is no sign of such move till date.

She made the pledge at a public meeting at Gomdandi Pilot High School in Boalkhali Upazila on September 13, 2001, about 17 days before the last general elections.

The third bridge can reduce the sufferings of the people of southern Chittagong to a large extent. Their distress has mounted in May 2000 when the heavy vehicles were asked to stay off the Shah Amanat Bridge on safety ground.

However, administrative sources hinted that the issue of third bridge is likely to figure high on the agenda of a cabinet meeting to be held for the first time in Chittagong in mid-January.

All eyes of the people of Chittagong people are now set on the outcome of the first-ever cabinet meeting at Chittagong Circuit House.