In a typical morning in Farmgate, Abul Kalam Azad departed from his residence in Narayanganj for his daily journey to Uttara, but he never returned. Tragically, he was killed instantly when a bearing pad from a metro rail pillar collapsed on him, leaving behind a grieving widow, a four-year-old son, and a three-year-old daughter. The government’s response to the incident involved offering Tk 5 lakh in compensation and a job opportunity for a family member. However, Azad’s brother expressed deep dissatisfaction, highlighting that no amount of money could ever compensate for the loss of a human life.
This incident raises crucial questions about the value of human life in Bangladesh and the accountability for the increasing number of preventable accidents that have become all too common. The collapse of the bearing pad that led to Azad’s death occurred near pier 433, following a similar incident near pier 430 just 13 months prior. Despite the earlier occurrence serving as a warning, the subsequent tragic event suggests a significant flaw in the metro system’s construction.
Transport expert Shamsul Hoque from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology emphasized that the repeated structural failures point to compromised construction standards and inadequate oversight by the responsible consultants. The high cost of Dhaka’s metro rail line, reportedly exceeding that of similar projects in countries like India, Riyadh, and Dubai, raises concerns about potential mismanagement of funds and possible shortcuts taken during construction.
The metro rail accidents are symptomatic of a larger systemic issue in Bangladesh. Recent incidents, such as the Bangladesh Air Force training aircraft crash in Uttara, the drowning of Faria Tasnim Jyoti in an uncovered drain, and numerous deaths from open drains and canals in Chattogram, highlight a pattern of mismanagement, negligence, and lack of coordination in ensuring public safety.
The devastating fire in a chemical warehouse in Mirpur that claimed multiple lives, the alarming road accident statistics, and the overall lack of stringent safety regulations further underscore the urgent need for reforms in safety standards and enforcement mechanisms in the country.
While other countries like India and Vietnam have successfully reduced fatalities through stringent safety measures and regulations, Bangladesh lags behind in ensuring the safety of its citizens. The existing regulatory frameworks, such as the Bangladesh National Building Code and the Road Transport Act, have failed to address the pervasive safety issues effectively.
The economic repercussions of preventable deaths, as highlighted by the World Bank and regional analyses, underscore the need for comprehensive safety audits, improved oversight, and accountability measures to mitigate risks and prevent future tragedies. The lack of political will to enforce safety standards and hold accountable those responsible for failures further exacerbates the situation.
The formation of investigative committees and promises of reports following tragic incidents, such as the metro rail accident, often fall short of delivering meaningful accountability and systemic reforms. The need for independent safety audits, criminal liability for institutional negligence, and an empowered safety oversight body becomes imperative to ensure the safety and well-being of the public.
Transparency in project costs, construction oversight, and compensation for preventable deaths must align with the true economic and social costs involved. The current practice of offering nominal compensation checks as a token gesture is not only inadequate but also disrespectful to the victims and their families.
It is essential for Bangladesh to prioritize safety as a fundamental aspect of infrastructure development and daily life. Without significant reforms, accountability, and a commitment to upholding safety standards, the cycle of preventable accidents and tragic losses will persist, denying justice to the victims and perpetuating a culture of negligence and impunity.