The government should leave the decision of constructing the third Karnaphuli bridge for the next elected government that will step forward after considering all the aspects and through consultation with experts and local people, they said at the discussion presided over by Chittagong city Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.

Expressing solidarity with the Chittagong mayor's movement against constructing a bridge with a number of pillars, they said a pillar bridge will create siltation in the river and badly affect the Chittagong seaport located on the riverbank.

The discussants expressed views in favour of constructing either a suspension bridge across the river or a tunnel beneath the river for direct road communication between south and north parts of Chittagong district.

Demanding immediate suspension of all activities regarding the construction of the pillar bridge, general secretary of main opposition Awami League (AL) MA Jalil said there is no need for quick decision on this important issue as only 85 days remain before the government's tenure expires.

"Let the next elected government decide in this regard," he said, adding that they would do everything necessary to resist the government's move for constructing a pillar bridge across the Karnaphuli.

Chittagong Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury said the next course of agitation would be declared at a meeting on August 5.

He vowed to resist the move for construction of a pillar bridge over the river Karnaphuli for the sake of 'national interest' and sought support from the national level leaders.

"We think construction of a hanging bridge across the river would be the right decision in favour of the seaport and the nation," he said.

Describing the background of the port and previous studies on the river ecology, the Chittagong mayor pointed out that the Chittagong Port authority that opposed the idea of constructing a pillar bridge at the upstream was ready to provide at least Tk 200 crore for constructing a suspension bridge.

Such a bridge across the Karnaphuli may create massive siltation and hinder the activities at the country's main seaport, said AL presidium member Tofail Ahmed.

All the experts who studied the bridge site rejected the proposal of constructing a pillar bridge across the river fearing negative impact on the port, he said.

The government's position on the bridge reflects the entire episode of its corruption, plundering of national wealth and mismanagement, he added.

"The government should choose the options that would leave less negative impact on the navigability of the river," eminent lawyer and Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain said, adding that an elected government cannot act whimsically.

There are many suspension bridges in the world, he said.

Hasanul Haque Inu said the communications minister who failed in running the ministry came with the proposal of constructing a bridge across the Karnaphuli river just to get commission.

The interest of the river and the port must get priority over the government's interest, he said. He expressed his views in favour of building a suspension bridge or a tunnel beneath the river bed.

Barrister Amir-Ul Islam urged the people to launch a national level movement against the government's initiative for constructing the pillar bridge. He observed that all the rivers in the country are facing encroachment.

The meeting was also addressed by Pankaj Bhattacharya, Dilip Biswas, barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, Mujahidul Islam Selim and a number of river experts, social leaders and environmentalists.

Idris Ali, Ansarul Karim, Maynuddin Hasan Chowdhury, former army chief Harun Ur Rashid, Prof Nurul Islam, Khorshed Alam, Syeda Rizwan Hasan, among others, participated in the general discussion.