Rejoinder, our reply

Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has sent a rejoinder to our report headlined "Bangabandhu Bridge: Toll money gobbled up" published on April 20. Below we publish the full text of the rejoinder along with our reply.

We draw your kind attention to the news headline "Bangabandhu Bridge: Toll money gobbled up" published in your esteemed daily on Saturday, 20 April 2013. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has found the news contrary to the truth, misleading and manipulative.
The large 5 column picture of the truck bearing No. Dhaka Metro Ta 14-4980 which has been presented as "overloaded" is "NOT overloaded" at all. It is very much within the permissible limit. The truck passes the weigh scale on 06 January 2013 at 00:49:07 hours with a total weight of 24010 KG, whereas the permissible gross weight is 24600 KG. So, we feel that it has not been truly reported.
In the very first paragraph the report dubbed "The Bangabandhu Multipurpose Bridge" as the "hub of corruption" which is non-specific and without any evidence.
In the next paragraph the allegation of siphoning off toll money is again mentioned without any specific evidence/reference. BBA would like to make it very clear that the entire toll collection system of the Bangabandhu Bridge is electronic and automatic and the money collected as toll is deposited in the nominated Bank on daily basis. So there is virtually no scope to siphon off toll money. Moreover, the entire system is being monitored from the site and from the BBA Head Quarter simultaneously through a dedicated online monitoring system. Due to the introduction digital system BBA has been able to raise the toll amount by 13.8% in the year 2012.
In addition, the data and video footage of all the vehicles are recorded and stored in the system server automatically. The video footage and weight data are across matched by BBA officials regularly. Actions are taken when any mismatch found. However audit and vigilance teams formed by BBA frequently visit the site to monitor the toll collection system and count the number of vehicles to cross check the automatic system generated reports. Interestingly this report also endorses our statement where the report mentions "there was a sudden leap in the numbers of vehicles". The allegations of "crossing overloaded trucks" and "in operation of weigh scales" are again contrary to the truth. There are 4 weigh scales, 2 on each sides, which works round the clock. If any of these goes out of order that one is instantaneously replaced by a portable weigh machine. Any overloaded truck is sent to the stack yard. A fee of Tk 50 is charged against official receipts on each overloaded truck for rearranging the load and the rate is approved by BBA. This account is regularly monitored and audited. BBA would like to make it clear that no overloaded truck is allowed to cross the Bridge.
The report also alleges "inaction of BBA against the perpetrators are responsible for the situation." This allegation is also baseless and contrary to the truth. BBA has taken stern actions against any irregularities and followed a policy of "zero tolerance". So far 12 employees of O&M and toll operator were sacked for various irregularities and police cases were filed against them. The money embezzled by them was also recovered.
It is very unfortunate that such a renowned newspaper runs report misquoting eminent personality like Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury. When contacted Prof. Chowdhury informed that he made some comments about the earlier situation which was quite a long time ago. It has made us wonder how this type of report could be published. Interestingly, the reporter did not even contact the Chief Engineer, BBA for this report but he quoted him several times to suit his own purpose.
BBA has been maintaining the Bangabandhu Bridge, the largest infrastructure in Bangladesh with utmost sincerity.
Report of various irregularities by Toll and O&M operators, submitted by an intelligence agency, was sent by BBA to the Anti Corruption Commission in June 2012 for further investigation. BBA also requested Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2012 through Bridges Division to deploy RAB to curb unethical activities on the Bridge site.
We feel that it happened because of lack of orientation and understanding on part of the reporter. We expect this will not be repeated in future.
We would like to invite a team from The Daily Star to visit the Bangabandhu Bridge site and look into the fairness of the system.
Our reply
In view of the rejoinder, we have re-examined our report and found that it was based on outdated information. We thank the bridge authority for clarifying the situation.
We regret our error and stand corrected.