Defects in 730 Bearing Pads of Metro Rail, Cracks in 46 Pier Heads and 20 Box Girders

The report said that MRT Line-6 is currently operating with multiple structural and operational defects. These problems are not isolated but have collectively created a 'compound risk', which is a concern for passenger safety and the long-term sustainability of the infrastructure.

According to the audit committee's observation, the use of low-quality construction materials, errors in construction work, or design weaknesses could be possible causes of these problems. However, no evidence of a comprehensive action plan has been found so far to determine the root cause of the defects or to replace the damaged parts.

It is noteworthy that after a bearing pad fell in the Farmgate area on October 26 last year, resulting in the death of a pedestrian, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) formed a 9-member independent safety audit committee following directives from the High Court and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The committee, led by former Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam, submitted its final report last May.