Siddikbazar Blast: Building needs to be retrofitted before use
The building that was damaged by an explosion in the capital's Siddikbazar should not be used before it is retrofitted, as the structure is currently unsafe, suggested a probe committee of Rajuk.
On March 7, the explosion rocked the area, killing at least 22 people and injuring over a hundred.
The six-member committee -- headed by Maj (retd) Shamsuddin Ahmed Chowdhury, member (development) of Rajuk -- yesterday submitted the probe report, which also recommended reinforcing the affected beams and columns and conducting a detailed engineering assessment (DEA) in the next 45 days by involving a third party.
It suggested retrofitting the seven-storey building in six months, following the DEA report.
"In the report, we have also suggested not using the building before the DEA and retrofitting works are completed, as it will be risky otherwise," said Prof Mehedi Ahmed Ansary of Buet's civil engineering department, also a member of the committee.
The committee found nine columns out of 24 damaged due to the explosion. Some parts of the basement and ground floor, as well as beams and retaining walls, have also been damaged.
On March 8, Rajuk formed the probe committee to investigate the present condition of the building and asked it to submit a report within three working days.
"We have recommended keeping the road in front of the building at 180/1, Siddikbazar open for buses and light vehicles from 6:00am to 10:00pm," said Rangan Mandal, member secretary of the committee.
The road is currently closed to traffic.
He said authorities will now take necessary steps following the report, adding that they have already informed Dhaka South City Corporation, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, and Mass Rapid Transit to take action.
The committee recommended restricting heavy vehicles like trucks on the road, as they may cause further damage due to the vibration, he mentioned.
It has also suggested restricting some space in front of the building using concrete or metal barriers to avert further accidents when the road will be opened for traffic, Rangan said.
He added that they have already done reinforcement work, and the road can be opened to the public.
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