2024-03-01 22:17:01
The design and review consultancy has expressed dissatisfaction with the health and safety plan for the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project.
It has been alleged that China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), the agency responsible for the project, violated certain mandatory instructions given by TYPSA, appointed as the design and review consultant for the project.
Early last year, a letter from TYPSA to the CMC mentioned major discrepancies in the pile works. There is also evidence that they are completely disobeying the instructions. According to TYPSA, the casing piles on the platform were of very poor quality.
It is further said, the contractor was informed about the situation and requested to place the casing on top of their pile at the platform level. Unfortunately, the contractor did not follow the ERA instructions, instead they continued the boring process.
Experts feel that if these issues are not checked and not addressed thoroughly, the safety of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway may be compromised. All concerned Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) involved in the project must be more aware and not be flexible with the contractor while working on the project.
It has been reported that a construction worker died on the spot on January 29 this year due to the negligence of the contractor (CMC) of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project. A letter sent to the CMC by TYPSA, the project’s design review consultant, the next day, clarified several reasons for the incident and negligence.
The letter mentioned that proper health and safety plan was not followed in the project work. An electric shock wave was emitted from a nearby high voltage wire, which was close to the work area, about 6.5 feet apart. But, the minimum distance prescribed in the CMC Health and Safety Plan is 25 feet. As the distance is less as per the safety guidelines, it is evidence that the failure of CMC has led to the tragic premature death of a worker. No inquiry committee has been formed into the accident. Even for the local workers there is no insurance facility. However, having insurance benefits for the workers was mandatory and included in the contract. According to the contract, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority contributes money to cover the insurance benefits of the workers in each payment. However, Chinese company CMC deliberately does not provide insurance for local workers.
It has been alleged that the project director of Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has kept the death secret without informing any CMC official. No record of government compensation for the deceased was also found.
Stakeholders say Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) should work to ensure that CMC does not exploit local workers. Instead of giving flowers to a Chinese company on Chinese New Year, the BBA must come down hard on the CMC for the death of a construction worker. In the future, work must be done to ensure that they follow labor laws and safety guidelines and not just think about profits. Every life should have value.
It is learned that the High Court Division of the Supreme Court has ruled on a writ petition directing the BBA and the Economic Relations Department (ERD) to preserve the money from the Chinese state-owned company CMC, the contractor of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway. The court directed the BBA to keep the money for the corresponding portion (insurance benefit for death of the worker) in escrow. The BBA issued an order on February 7 to implement the court order.
Analyzing the past experience, it is known that the Chinese company CMC has been accused of non-payment in the past as well. In 2018 they hired Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) approved companies STUP and NCME to prepare Design Based Report (DBR). The CMC has not paid the design fee to STUP and NCME despite giving written notices twice in 2018 and 2021 for that report bill. Chinese company CMC is trying to establish a rule by managing some high-ranking officials to conduct fraudulent activities. Because, it is said, CMC has always been exempted from charges and given all kinds of co-operation even after conducting several fraudulent activities.
No comment was received from the CMC authorities on the overall issue.
Note that Bangladesh Bridge Authority is constructing Dhaka’s second (Dhaka-Ashulia) elevated expressway. The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017. The project is being built at a cost of 17 thousand 553 crore 4 lakh taka. It is scheduled to be completed in June 2026.