Cracks Found in Six Metro Stations Following Earthquake

After the recent earthquake, several metro stations in Dhaka have reported cracks in various parts of their infrastructure. These issues have raised safety concerns among commuters and workers alike. On Friday, November 21, cracks were found in the floors of the electrical sub-station rooms at several metro stations, including Karwan Bazar, Vijay Sarani, and Pallabi.

At the Pallabi station, cracks were observed not only in the sub-station room but also in the station's control room walls. Similar damage was found in the lift core walls at the Farmgate metro station, and in the tiles of the Mirpur 10 station.

Upon inspection at Pallabi station, station controller Mohammad Sayem initially denied the presence of cracks but later admitted to noticing them, speculating that they could have existed earlier or might have been caused by the earthquake.

Despite these concerns, metro operations continued as usual after safety measures were increased. Passengers expressed their unease, with some questioning the decision to continue operations despite the cracks. "It’s not safe. How long before an accident happens?" said one passenger.

When contacted, the managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), Faruk Ahmed, did not respond to calls, and other officials declined to comment. However, an advisor from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, stated that the cracks were not considered serious and further inspections were being carried out.

As the investigation continues, the situation has highlighted concerns about the structural integrity of critical infrastructure in Dhaka, particularly in the aftermath of natural disasters.