However, netizens do not see it necessary.

"We know two half-built river navigation towers in the city's suburban districts were dismantled in 2008, after the local governments failed to put all the pledged investment in place since 2003," said a netizen nicknamed Ningjingyizhiyuan (meaning "tranquil for ever") on the website.

He hoped the new tower wouldn't follow the steps of the two half-built towers.

Zhang Yuan, chief planner of the Chongqing Planning bureau, said the project is still under feasibility study and has not yet got the approval from the municipal development and reform department.

He said the tower may not be necessarily as tall as over 68 meters so as to ensure its navigational functions.

He added that the planning bureau will make careful field research to make sure the tower is cost-effective and correspond to the city's overall environment.

In China, the Internet has been frequently used by the public as a platform to voice opinions on government policies. Public outcry over a prison inmate beaten to death because of the so-called "hide-and-see" games in southwest China's Yunnan in February and a fake tiger photo incident last year have promoted the government to thoroughly investigate the events.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2009)