As bearing pad falls, metro rail safety, insurance issues come to fore
A seven-member probe committee finding out the cause
The incident of a bearing pad falling from a viaduct on the Dhaka Metro Rail on 18 September, which led to the suspension of train services between Agargaon and Motijheel for 11 hours, has raised serious safety concerns among experts and stakeholders.
An expert described the event as a rare but alarming occurrence, attributing it to a possible design flaw.
"The bearing pad fell at a location where the train takes a turn, causing additional pressure. Typically, clamps and nuts are used to secure the bearing pad in its position at such high-pressure areas," said Professor Md Hadiuzzaman, a communication expert and former director of Buet's Accident Research Institute.
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"However, the design did not adequately address this issue, resulting in the bearing pad loosening due to the excessive pressure," he added.
He recommended immediate action to address the issue by reinforcing the bearings and suggested using more durable materials, such as pod bearings which are typically made of metal, instead of rubber.
In response to the incident, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the builder and operator of metro rail, formed a seven-member probe committee to investigate the cause.
A committee member told TBS, on condition of anonymity, that while the fall of the bearing pad is rare, it cannot yet be conclusively attributed to a design fault. The committee has recommended installing cameras to monitor pressure and movement around the area for further investigation.
Safety concerns come to fore
The incident has heightened scrutiny of the metro rail's safety protocols, as DMTCL has been operating for nearly two years without securing a mandatory safety certificate from the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA).
Despite DTCA's directive to appoint an independent third-party agency for the certification before operations began, this has yet to be completed.
According to the Metrorail Act-2015 and Metrorail Rules-2016, DMTCL is required to submit regular safety reports to DTCA and receive approval from this authority for all technical and safety-related aspects of the system.
"We do not agree with the claim that the bearing pad fell due to a design fault. Various factors could have contributed, and we are monitoring the situation closely."
However, DMTCL has failed to submit a single safety report since operations began, according to officials of DTCA.
Several DTCA officials said they wrote to DMTCL asking for these reports on various occasions. Besides, the issue of safety and certification from a third party were raised at a meeting of stakeholders before starting the metro service.
The officials alleged DMTCL has not obtained approval for the construction plan from the DTCA though it was mandatory by law. But nothing could be done about this because of political pressure, they said, declining to elaborate further.
The operator also has failed to provide insurance coverage for the metro rail and its passengers as required by law. Additionally, there is no established policy for compensation in the event of an accident caused by technical failures of the train.
One DTCA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said despite multiple exchanges of letters, DMTCL has not addressed the violations.
Acknowledging the violations, DMTCL Managing Director Mohammad Abdur Rauf, who was appointed last month following the removal of his predecessor, MAN Siddique, said they are working to comply with all legal provisions.
MAN Siddique could not be reached for comments yesterday.
DMTCL working to address safety concerns
Talking to TBS earlier this month, Mohammad Abdur Rauf denied allegations of design flaws and indicated that a thorough investigation is still ongoing.
"We do not agree with the claim that the bearing pad fell due to a design fault. Various factors could have contributed, and we are monitoring the situation closely," he said.
Rauf added that DMTCL is working on a mechanism to prevent such incidents and is in the process of addressing safety concerns.
Regarding the safety certificate, Rauf explained that the system was installed by a Japanese company, which provided a safety certificate. However, due to legal requirements, DMTCL has initiated steps to obtain the required certificate from an independent third party.
He also acknowledged the lack of regular safety reports but assured that this process would begin soon, starting from this month.
Regarding insurance, Rauf stated that DMTCL is in discussions with Bangladesh Jiban Bima Corporation to explore possible insurance coverage and compensation policies.
He also clarified that during the defect liability period, which lasts for two years post-construction, the contractor is responsible for any compensation related to technical faults, and a formal policy will be established for future contingencies.
