Suspension of Surma hanging bridge project triggers protests
Month-long agitation includes 'grand rally' on May 20, hartal on May 31
Staff Correspondent, Sylhet
Suspension of a government decision to construct a hanging bridge to replace the 68-year old Keane Bridge over Surma river in Sylhet city has triggered widespread agitation in the district. The Department of Roads & Highways in a notification published in newspapers two weeks ago suspended the earlier decision to construct a ganging bridge. It did not make any alternative proposal. All political parties and socio-cultural and professional bodies protested the decision. Some of those have started agitation programmes, holding rallies and bringing out processions in the city and other areas. Posters have appeared on city walls protesting the decision. Leaders of all political parties including the ruling party have demanded immediate steps to implement the hanging bridge project. The Greater Sylhet Ganodabi Parishad, a nonpartisan forum, launched a month-long programme with a rally in the city on May 2. On May 4, it held 10 public meetings at Court Point, Rikabi Bazaar, Sobhanighat, Shibganj, Tilagarh, Ambarkhana, Tukerbazar, Station Road and Shibbari in the city and at Hetimganj Bazar in Golapganj upazila. It also formed a human chain on Sunday in front of the Keane Bridge. People from all classes and representing different professional and trade groups joined the rally with placards, posters and festoons. The month-long programme includes rallies at all district and upazila headquarters and commercial centres in Sylhet division and sending memorandums to the Prime Minister. It will hold a big rally in the city's Court Point May 20, to be attended by leaders and activists of all political parties, sources in the Parishad said. A half-day hartal in Sylhet district has also been called on May 31. Speakers at a rally prior to Sunday's human chain said that after necessary formalities, the project was approved at an ECNEC (Executive Committee of National Economic Council) meeting on October 23, 2002 with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair. Tender for appointment of consultants was floated and it was decided to complete the construction by June 2004. But the date for laying foundation of the bridge by the Prime Minister was changed several times. The Communication Minister and the Finance Minister also announced on several occasions that a hanging bridge would be constructed. They said tougher programmes will be announced on May 31 if the decision is not withdrawn.
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