Probe reveals design flaws in Metro Rail bearing pad

A government investigation committee has identified serious technical negligence, substandard materials, and design deficiencies as the main causes behind the fatal incident in which a bearing pad fell from a Dhaka Metro Rail structure, killing a pedestrian on October 26.

The findings were revealed on Thursday at a press briefing at the Secretariat by Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan. According to the report, the accident resulted from poor-quality materials, inadequate vibration control in the design, and improper installation of the bearing pad.

Laboratory tests conducted at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) showed that the bearing pad involved in the incident failed to meet required quality standards. Experts found that the material was incapable of withstanding long-term load and vibration stress, rendering it unsuitable for use in a high-frequency mass transit system such as the metro rail.