A case has been filed against Bus Rapid Transit’s Chinese contractor over the crane accident that killed five in Uttara on Monday and construction of the elevated expressway has been halted.
The brother of the deceased Fahima Akhtar and Jharna Akhtar filed the case with Uttara West Police at midnight.
Uttara West Police OC Mohammad Mohsin confirmed the matter to Dhaka Tribune. Afran Mondal Babu filed the case against China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) alleging negligence.
Several unnamed people including the crane operator has been named in the case. Meanwhile, a three-member committee has been formed to probe the incident, confirmed BRT Director Shafiqul Islam.
DNCC mayor halts construction
On the other hand, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Atiqul Islam, during a visit to the scene, ordered all construction work for the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) -3 Elevated Expressway to be halted.
Further decision on the matter will be given after a meeting regarding the BRT Project Compliance on Thursday.
He said that if the authorities concerned don’t take steps to ensure public safety then they will be not allowed to continue the construction work of any project in Dhaka city, reports UNB.
“There should be adequate safety measures in any construction work and public safety should be ensured first. It’s not only about the BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) project, we won’t allow any project without ensuring public safety,” he said.
He added: “Heavy girder should have been lifted after blocking the busy road by the BRT authorities. Accidents may happen while working using crane and the authorities concerned should have kept another crane standby for rescue operation and an ambulance. But BRT failed to ensure these."
“The BRT authorities should have informed traffic police and sought their help to use alternative road while lifting girder but I have come to know that they did not contact traffic police and all happened due to negligence of BRT,” he added.
At least five people, including children, of the same family were killed when a 150-tonne girder fell on their car from a crane during Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project work in Uttara on Monday.
The victim's family members said that the car was going from Dakshin Khan to Ashulia after the wedding reception of a newly-wed couple, Hridoy and Riya. They got married on Saturday.