First working day after fire: How Secretariat is functioning
Even though the offices reopened today, journalists and some government officials with temporary passes were unable to enter.
Today (29 December) marks the first working day at the Bangladesh Secretariat after a fire broke out in the early hours on Thursday in Building 7, damaging floors six, seven, eight, and nine of the building.
According to relevant sources, activities today are being carried out on a limited scale.
In most cases, officials and employees are occupied with organising and setting up their temporary offices.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Officials from the secretariat also reported issues with electricity and the internet.
Due to security concerns, access is also restricted.
Even though the offices reopened today, journalists and some government officials with temporary passes were unable to enter.
Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary of the chief adviser, however, said the decision to restrict access to the Bangladesh Secretariat following the recent fire has not led to the cancellation of any journalist's press accreditation card.
Business as usual for many ministries in other buildings
An official from a ministry located in Building 7, which was not significantly damaged, mentioned that they are unable to carry out office activities.
The Road Transport and Highways Division has temporarily started operations at the Rail Building, according to the division's Public Relations Officer, Nobel Dey.
But they, too, may have to move again over logistical reasons.
The seventh and eighth floors of Building-7 at the secretariat, which accommodate the Ministries of Road Transport and Bridges, Post and Telecommunications, and Youth and Sports, were severely damaged in the fire.
The majority of the offices and rooms on these floors were destroyed by the flames.
Documents and files were reduced to ashes, furniture was charred and plywood boards were bent from the intense heat.
However, except for a few ministries located in the burnt building, others are functioning normally.
An official from the Ministry of Finance mentioned that they are carrying out their activities as usual without any issues.
A meeting was held in the ministry this morning as well.
Mohammad Shafiullah, the public relations officer of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, said, "The divisions of our ministry are operating normally. The energy adviser participated in a programme in Mawa this morning and will attend the office at the Ministry of Energy at the secretariat after the programme."
He also said the Local Government Division and the Rural Development and Cooperative Division have started operations at Nagar Bhaban, the office of the Dhaka South City Corporation.
The two divisions are utilising unused rooms in the building for their activities.
Mohammad Mokleshur Rahman, Posts and Telecommunications Division secretary, told TBS that their department has started operations at the office of the Mailing Operator and Courier Service Licensing Authority, located at the General Post Office (GPO).
Mohammad Nur Alam, public relations officer of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, said their ministry has commenced operations at the Sports Council office.
Another official mentioned, "The secretariat is very empty. Officials from the ministries affected by the fire are not present. There are no visitors.
"Government officials from other state departments have not come for meetings. Those who have come are not moving around much," added the official.
Earlier, the first report about the fire breaking out in the secretariat came at 1:52am on Thursday.
Several firefighting units reached the scene and started fighting the flames at 1:54am.
The firefighters brought the flames under control at around 8:05am.
While no casualties were reported from the fire itself, Shoyanur Jaman Noyon, 24, a firefighter from Tejgaon fire station was killed while on duty.
He was crossing the road to connect the water pipe with the pump when a truck ran over him.
The government also formed a seven-member committee to investigate the fire and they are expected to submit their report by today.
