Chinese firm responsible, says probe report

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project contractor China Gezhouba Group Corporation was mainly responsible for the Uttara girder crash incident and will be punished according to work agreement clauses, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division ABM Amin Ullah Noori said.

While presenting an inquiry report submitted by a government committee before the press on Sunday, he also said the implementation authority of BRT project would not be held responsible particularly as the contractor conducted that day’s work without its consent.

The work was supposed to be done following consultant’s prescribed method and his physical presence. But the contractor did the work during day time without any safety measures by unskilled workers on 15 August.

The secretary said that safety rules violations are not new for China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC).

“Since 11 January this year the consultant firm has sent them 34 letters asking for safety compliance. We should also hold the consultants responsible as well because they did not inform us that the CGGC had not been responding to their warnings,” he added.

He said the whole team worked on that particular day was not qualified enough. Every possible rule that should have been followed was violated.

Asked, what would be the punitive action against the Chinese contractor, he said, “We will send the report to the RHD to take action.”

A case has been filed under a police station as it was a criminal offense. The offender will be punished under the law.

“Besides, the High Court has sought explanations from us. We will send the answer and act as per the court’s order. Our aim is to provide justice to the victims’ families. The ministry will oversee it,” he added.

The secretary said there might be three types of punishments instructed by the High Court according to the judgment delivered by trial court in the case and also by the authorities according to the work contract.

But this would take time, he said, adding that the authorities do not want to halt the project’s works.

The committee submitted its primary report on 16 August and the detailed one was submitted on 30 August.

At least five people including two children were crushed to death after a box girder, a part of the under construction BRT project, fell on a car in Uttara on 15 August. Two others were injured in the accident that took place near Jasimuddin area.