Third Karnaphuli Bridge opens to traffic

September 8, 2010

The much-awaited Karnaphuli Bridge – 3, connecting Chittagong metropolitan city with the southern parts of the division, has been opened to the people.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the bridge on the southern section of the Karnaphuli river on Wednesday noon. Following the inauguration, the prime minister’s motorcade crossed the bridge.

Key members of the administration, including communications minister Syed Abul Hossain, and top officials of the roads and highways department, accompanied Sheikh Hasina at the inauguration.

Residents of southern parts of the division, including Bandarban and Cox’s Bazaar, have long been demanding construction of a safe replacement for the rundown Shah Amanat Bridge.

After long delays in bureaucratic red tape, construction work of the much-awaited bridge began in Aug 2006 and was to scheduled to be completed by September last year. However, delays in construction of the approach road caused the project to miss the deadline.

The government signed a contract with China Major Engineering Company on July 19, 2006 to construct the bridge.

Project director of the bridge Bidhan Chandra Dhar said the total cost of the bridge was estimated at Tk 5.9 billion, but it took just Tk 3.8 billion to complete the work, saving Tk 2.1 billion.

The length of the four-lane bridge is 950 metres and its breadth is 24.40 metres. It is the first cable-stayed type bridge in the country.

Earlier in the day, prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated a 150 MW peaking power plant at Shikolbaha, in Patia Upazila, and attended a rally organised by Chittagong District (South) Awami League.

Third Karnaphuli Bridge opens to traffic

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