Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday announced the official inauguration of the construction of the much-awaited rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuli River in Kalurghat, stressing that the sufferings of commuters will significantly ease once it is constructed.
"It's a historic bridge," Prof Yunus said, expressing his satisfaction as the new journey began and it will be implemented in an expedited way.
The long-anticipated bridge is expected to greatly benefit residents of greater Chattogram, specially on the river’s southern bank, including those in Boalkhali and Patiya upazilas.
Prof Yunus unveiled the foundation stone plaque from the Circuit House in Chattogram.
"I have many memories....this bridge has great historical importance. Today, residents of Boalkhali are also present here. Kalurghat Bridge is their much-desired goal. Once it is completed, many problems of the people of Chattogram will end," said the Chief Adviser.
Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan said that the people of South Chattogram have long demanding the construction of a new Kalurghat Bridge over the Karnaphuli River.
With the unveiling of the foundation stone of the bridge, the long-cherished dream of the people of city’s outskirt upazilas -Boalkhali, Patiya and South Chattogram- is finally materialised.
The railway aims to complete the construction of the 700-meter-long main bridge by 2030. The total length of the bridge will be 11 kilometres and the width will be 100 feet.
Professor Muhammad Yunus is visiting Chattogram for the first time after assuming charge as Chief Adviser.
Liberation War Affairs Adviser Farooq-e-Azam, Education Adviser CR Abrar, Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum, Fisheries and Livestocks Adviser Farida Akhter, Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, Bida Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were also present.
Upon arrival here on Wednesday morning, the Chief Adviser first visited Chittagong Port and attended the programme at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT-5) premises.
After visiting the Chittagong Port, he went to the Chattogram Circuit House, where unveiled the foundation stone of the Kalurghat Bridge over the Karnaphuli River.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus also attended a meeting that discussed key urban challenges, including waterlogging in Chattogram City and traffic congestion on Hathazari Road from the Oxygen Intersection.
Prof Yunus handed over land documents for the Chattogram National Heart Foundation to the concerned authorities.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus began his visit to his home district of Chattogram in the morning for the first time since taking office, with a series of engagements planned during his roughly 12-hour stay.
Professor Yunus, who left Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 8:45am, landed at Shah Amanat International Airport at 9:22am, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.
He will attend as the chief guest at the fifth convocation of Chittagong University (CU), where he will also deliver the convocation address, officials said.
In recognition of his contributions, Chittagong University will confer upon him an honorary Doctorate of Literature (D.Litt) degree.
A former faculty member of CU’s Economics Department and a Nobel Laureate, his return to the campus is being hailed as a historic moment.
After the convocation, Professor Yunus will travel to his ancestral home in Bathua village of Shikarpur union, Hathazari upazila.
Chittagong University will host the largest convocation in the country’s history on Tuesday, awarding degrees to 22,586 students.