A preliminary probe into the tragic crane accident that claimed five lives in Uttara on Monday has found the Chinese contractor, crane operator and Dhaka Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Company security staff responsible for the incident as they were guilty of several breaches in protocol.
The probe committee found four major causes of the accident, including negligence on the part of the Chinese company as they were doing the work without the approval of the consultant and without ensuring proper safety measures.
On Monday, five members of a family, including two children, were crushed to death after a girder of the BRT project in Uttara fell on the car in which they were travelling. A six-member panel probing the incident submitted the preliminary report to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges yesterday.
Nilima Akhter, additional secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) and executive director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), is the head of the committee. She confirmed to Dhaka Tribune that the preliminary probe had found negligence on the part of the Chinese contractor.
She added that the committee would submit a full report within a few days.
At a press briefing yesterday, RTHD Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri said: “As per the work plan, Monday was not a workday as it was a public holiday. The contractor was attempting to complete the task with the crane without permission from the consultant.”
He added that action would be taken against all who were found responsible for the accident in the final probe report.
“We will serve a show cause notice on all officials concerned to find out why work was progressing without the consultant being informed,” the RTHD secretary further said.
Chinese contractor Jiangsu Provincial Transportation Engineering Group Company Limited won the contract for implementing the elevated part of the project by submitting the lowest bid. Spokespersons of the company could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Officials of the RTHD claimed the contractor did not even hire any sub-contractors in order to save money.
Previously, another girder fell in the same area on March 14, 2021. Six people, including three Chinese workers, were injured in the incident. A probe committee formed over the incident was headed by RTHD Joint Secretary Anisur Rahman.
At the time, the probe committee had recommended implementing international standard safety measures for the BRT project.
Anisur Rahman yesterday told Dhaka Tribune the contractor had failed to implement safety measures despite being alerted by the government several times.
Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Dhaka BRT Company, said the company had appointed two Chinese contractors for implementing two major parts of the project, and repeated accidents have plagued the project.
“The contractor doesn’t have sufficient funds to implement the project. They engage insufficient and low-paid operators and labourers that make the progress of the project slower and costlier,” he said.
“All the relevant agencies of the government have pressured them to maintain safety, but it is unfortunate they never informed us,” the Dhaka BRT MD added.
After visiting the accident spot at Uttara yesterday, Shafiqul Islam said: “We tried to ensure safety compliance by the contractor, but failed. Safety measures are below international standards even though the contractors are Chinese companies.”
In response to a query, he said: “The Dhaka BRT Company cannot avoid its responsibility. If we find negligence of BRT field engineers or other individuals, we will take action against them.”
According to the preliminary observations of fire service officials, the crane’s operator was unskilled and the crane itself seemed to be of poor quality.
“The issues are under investigation, so we should wait until get the detailed probe report,” said Shafiqul Islam.
Dr Hadiuzzaman, director of the Accident Research Institute (ARI) of Bangladesh University Engineering and Technology (Buet), said: “As the contractor is facing a fund crisis, it is trying to cut corners with regard to ensuring safety, quality of materials and equipment. The crane operator should have a licence and experience doing the work, and it is doubtful whether he had these.”
Case filed
Afran Mondal Babu, brother of deceased Fahima Akhtar and Jharna Akhtar, has filed a case against China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) with Uttara West Police alleging negligence, Uttara West Police OC Mohammad Mohsin confirmed to Dhaka Tribune.
Mohsin said several unnamed people, including the crane operator, were accused in the case.
“The crane operator has been a fugitive since the girder collapse,” he added.
“The crane operator is responsible for the accident. We can check whether the crane operator was appointed by us or not once he is arrested,” said ABM Amin Ullah Nuri.
Construction work suspended by DNCC
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam has ordered a suspension of the construction work of the Dhaka BRT until it ensures safety compliance.
He issued this order when he visited the accident site at around 11am yesterday.
He said: “We asked the BRT project director last Thursday why they don’t follow safety compliance and why they don’t minimise the sufferings of the public.”
Dhaka BRT Managing Director Shafiqul Islam was also present during the mayor's briefing. He said the mayor’s order would be followed.
Mayor Atiqul Islam further said: “Once the Dhaka BRT Company shows us the project is safety compliant, we will allow the resumption of the work. We have asked them to sit with us again on Thursday morning at 11.”
