Under-construction flyover without safety measures
Our concern is raised by a photo published in this paper on January 10 showing an under-construction flyover in Chittagong without adequate precautionary and preventive measures to avert a mishap. We find it appalling that the authorities should fail to put any safety measures in place even hours after an iron bar from the structure fell on a passing car.
The thoroughfare is one of the busiest in Chittagong, the country's commercial capital. Nothing short of a miracle prevents even more fatal accidents from occurring, and we find it hard to believe that such a huge infrastructural project is being implemented without addressing the crucial safety issues.
Authorities appear to be blissfully unconcerned, as it has not been long that a flyover collapsed in the very city, not far away from the current construction site, leading to the terrible loss of life and limb. In light of such accident-prone antecedents of flyover construction, any lapse with regard to public safety is inexcusable. This shows gross negligence on the part of the authorities and a complete disregard for minimum safety standards.
Public safety cannot be glossed over. There should be proper monitoring and dissemination of information regarding safety rules to prevent what appears to be an impending disaster. Such sites should be enclosed and made off-limits to vehicular movement after serving prior notice. We hope that the construction company would be penalised for their negligence and the vehicle owner of the Chittagong flyover incident compensated, and those government agencies responsible for ensuring public safety be held to account.
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