Dhaka: The government today formed a five-member committee to investigate the Metrorail incident causing the death of a pedestrian at Farmgate and announced compensation for the victim’s family. Adviser for road transport and bridges, Fouzul Kabir Khan, stated that Bridges Division Secretary Abdur Rouf would lead the committee, which was instructed to submit its report within two weeks.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, experts from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and Military Science and Technology Institute (MIST) were included in the committee for a technical and engineering review of the metro rail system. This incident marks the second such occurrence near the same location since September 18, 2024. Khan mentioned that the committee would also review the investigation report of the previous accident.
After visiting the scene, Khan explained that the committee’s responsibilities include preparing recommendations to prevent future accidents and identifying those responsible for the incident. Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Defense and National Solidarity Development, Retired Lieutenant General Abdul Hafiz, accompanied the adviser.
The adviser announced that the government would provide Taka 5 lakh as immediate compensation to the victim’s family and offer employment in Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd to a qualified family member, if available. The metro rail authorities reported the incident occurred around 12.15 pm when a slacked bearing pad fell, killing 35-year-old Abul Kalam instantly.
Other committee members include Professor Dr. ABM Toufiq Hasan from BUET’s mechanical engineering department, Associate Professor Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahidul Islam from MIST’s civil engineering department, and retired Brigadier General Mohammad Abdul Wahab, Project Director of Line-5, DMTCL. The road transport ministry’s deputy secretary, Asfia Sultana, will serve as the member-secretary of the committee. The metro rail service from Uttara North to Agargaon resumed hours after the accident, but the service on the rest of the track remained suspended.