The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government considers that design deficiency is responsible for the expanding cracks in the Jamuna Bridge and will go to international court against the construction-company Hyundai.

"If it'll be proved that design deficiency is responsible for expanding cracks of the Jamuna Bridge, so we must go to international court for realizing compensation to repair the bridge," Communications Adviser Major Gen (Retd) Ghulam Quader told a press briefing at his office at the Secretariat.

He said they were discussing legal measures with the law ministry for legal battle against the Korean construction firm, Hyundai. Quader said as the Hyundai is responsible for design and construction of the bridge so it is Hyundai's liability to repair the cracks of the bridge. The government is very much aware about the troubles of Jamuna bridge as it is not only the matter of Communications Ministry but country's national issue.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority appointed consultant firm Angel Lazaro and Associate to examine the depth of the cracks and suggest measures for mending the bridge for preventing any further deterioration of the situation. The consultants will also supervise the repairing works of the bridge, which is so important as it links country's two parts separated by the mighty river Jamuna.

Khan M Ibrahim Hossain, executive director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, informed that it would take nearly 18 months to complete the whole works, including finding reasons of expanding cracks and repairing works, and needs about Tk 100 crore.

"We know that it is a long time, but the works would be completed without troubling vehicle movement," he said.

The 4.8-km-long Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge was publicly opened in 1998, and though the bridge was built at a cost of Tk 4,000 crore with an expected service life of 100 years, in less than 10 years in service several cracks were detected across the bridge.

An inquiry committee formed by the Communications Ministry to examine the cracks submitted his report on December 27, 2006. The panel was headed by Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, Vice-chancellor of BRAC University.

In his report Chowdhury identified the design deficiency for the cracks of Jamuna Bridge. He also informed that the cracks were created during the construction of the bridge.

But a delegation of Hyundai visited the Jamuna Bridge on June 17, 2006 and informed that temperature differential is responsible for the bridge developing cracks.

Now the consultant firm Angel Lazaro and Associate will find out the cause of the cracks.

Communications secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman and additional secretary ATK Ismail were also present at the briefing.