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TMCNet: Parliamentary committee recommends realizing compensation for Jamuna bridge crack

[July 27, 2009]

Parliamentary committee recommends realizing compensation for Jamuna bridge crack

Dhaka, Jul 26, 2009 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- A parliamentary committee Sunday strongly recommended realizing compensation by legal means from the foreign company concerned for the crack on the Jamuna multipurpose bridge that is so vital in integrating the country?s eastern and north-northwestern parts.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications Ministry in its meeting identified the reasons for not realizing compensation by determining liability of Hundai company despite the detection of the break that has developed in the Jamuna Bridge ?due to construction fault?.

The lawmakers decided to identify those officers who were involved in lowering the ?contractual security term? from 10 years to two years for the bridge, rated world?s eleventh longest.

They asked the authorities concerned to inform them about follow-up action at the next meeting.

Briefing newsmen at the Media Centre of Parliament chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications Sheikh Mojibur Rahman said, ?The company which constructed the Jamuna multipurpose bridge cannot avoid the liability for the crack developed on the bridge as the company is both designer and constructor of the bridge.? He said they came to learn that the company cut down the term of bearing liability from 10 years to two years, and they would thoroughly examine the matter.

The standing-committee chairman said the meeting also discussed the proposed Padma bridge and decided that design of this second gigantic bridge should be checked up by Bangladeshi engineers so that no problem takes place like that of the Jamuna Bridge. It also stressed proper river training and proper selection of contractors for the bridge.

The lawmakers also suggested restoring the near-dead Faridpur railway junction and extending the railway line up to the proposed Padma bridge site so that stones which possibly will have to be imported from a neighboring country for constructing the bridge can be brought smoothly as it would cut the carrying cost.

The meeting formed a 3-member parliamentary subcommittee headed by Omar Faruq Chowdhury to investigate allegations of irregularities against Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and to remove the rot. The two other members are Nazrul Islam Manju and Apu Ukil.

In an important development the meeting decided that ?there is no legality? of the subcommittee formed by the Ministry for development of the BRTA.

It also discussed ways of minimizing the nagging traffic congestion in the capital city and suggested introducing more double-decker and 52-seated buses, reducing the huge number of minibuses, withdrawing old buses, improving public buses which are now about 5,500 in number and construction of flyovers.

The matter of Dhaka metro was also discussed, and it was stated in the briefing that there is a suggestion for construction of the proposed underground railway from Joydevpur to Jatrabari.

Replying to a question regarding reported tender manipulation and capturing tender-dropping box by ruling party activists, the chief of the watchdog body on the sector said they had asked for taking tough measures to prevent such offence.

He said they also suggested keeping tender boxes at a number of places as well as introducing option for submitting tender by post to avert the alleged tender hooliganism.

The lawmakers asked the authorities to increase the number of reserved seats in buses for women and ensure their security.

They also suggested introducing operation of Moitree Intercity Train in night service from Rajshahi to Dhaka as the train remains idle for some days in a week.

In further step the meeting suggested correct scrutiny of the documents received from the foreign contractors before declaring them fit for work.

Standing-committee members Omar Faruk Chowdhury, M Zillul Hakim, M Abu Zahir HM Golam Reza, Nazrul Islam Manju and Apu Ukil attended the meeting chaired by Shekh Mojibur Rahman.

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