The meeting scheduled for January 13 was supposed to take some important decisions on developing the infrastructure of the commercial capital, the sources added.

Preparatory meetings in this connection were held with representatives from all departments concerned and the Chittagong Circuit House, venue of the cabinet meeting, was also given a face-lift last month, sources said.

But the plan for holding the cabinet meeting on the date was dropped as Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will not be able to lay the foundation stone of the third Karnaphuli bridge due to incomplete preparations for launching the project work, sources added.

Talking to The Daily Star, Deputy Commissioner of Chittagong Shafiqul Islam said that no date has been set for the meeting in the port city. "So far, I know it may be held in February, just one week after Eid-ul- Azha, but that too is not yet confirmed," the DC said.

"But the prime minister is expected to arrive in Chittagong on January 13 to attend the ground-breaking ceremony of Asian Women University," the DC disclosed.

The existing two bridges on the river Karnaphuli have become almost worn out posing threat to communication between the port city and the southern part of Chittagong.

Sources said different development issues in line with the demands and aspirations of the residents of Chittagong are likely to feature in the cabinet meeting that is to be held in the port city.