DMTCL plans safety audit, to seek international support for metro rail operations

The Dhaka Metro Rail Company is now planning to conduct a safety audit and carry out the operation and maintenance of the metro rail through renowned international companies, following several accidents and the identification of various problems across its systems.

Due to a lack of capacity and skilled technical personnel, particularly after the bearing pads fell twice in about a year, the state-owned company is seeking third-party assistance as an interim measure.

Faruque Ahmed, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), shared the plan during a press conference at the company's conference room on Monday.

He added that, although the company had received some unsolicited proposals from different countries, it will go for an open call to appoint the companies. “Public safety is our top priority now,” he told journalists in response to queries regarding DMTCL’s capacity and functionality.

The MD said DMTCL has undergone reforms due to issues during its formation, including a lack of technical personnel, inadequate trial runs, blank runs before the commercial opening of MRT-6 (Mass Rapid Transit Line 6), and equipment-related problems.

The press conference was organised to update steps taken after the second incident of bearing pad dropping, which killed a pedestrian walking on the footpath on November 25.

Mr Faruque also blamed the previous DMTCL management for creating the current situation by not following MRT development plans and commissioning procedures according to international standards.

'Both taking over of the project work from the contractor and handing over to the DMTCL were not done in the case of metro rail operation.... same as does the company will have to inspect every day, each and everything when 100 years of structural guarantee and 50 years of lifecycle of bearing pads are given in contract,' he said.

The DMTCL MD further discussed other MRT projects and outlined plans for the safe and sustainable operation of the country’s first metro rail system.

smunima@yahoo.com