Followed during the day but all the instructions disappeared at night

The building that collapsed in the Siddikbazar explosion in the capital is somehow standing supported by iron bars. The Capital Development Authority (RAJUK) issued five directives to prevent the building from collapsing completely. It was said that at least 26 feet of concrete or steel road barrier should be placed in front of the building. All types of traffic should be stopped on the front road from 10 pm to 6 am. But nothing is accepted.

The area has been visited for the past few days, and heavy goods-carrying vehicles are moving in front of the building. Experts say that this may cause accidents again due to vibration. Locals also fear major accidents if other instructions of Rajuk are not followed.

On March 7, around 5:30 in the afternoon, an explosion occurred in a seven-storey building known as Queen's Sanitary Market in Siddiqbazar near Fulbaria in Gulistan. The basement, first and second floors of the building were reduced to rubble. 26 people died in this incident. After the blast, RAJUK set up a six-member committee to make recommendations on the utility of the building. The committee gave recommendations in their report after inspecting the building.

The recommendations said that the structures adjacent to the dangerous buildings and the damaged beam-columns should be stopped as soon as possible for the safety of the vehicles and pedestrians on the road. At the same time, the space in front of the building including the sidewalk up to 26 feet towards the road should be cordoned off with concrete or steel road barriers. Buses and other light vehicles may be allowed to ply on the road in front of the building from 6 am to 10 pm. However, from 10 pm to 6 am, all vehicles should be stopped on that road.

According to the investigation report, 9 out of 24 columns, basement, ground floor, beams and side walls of the building were damaged. For this, the owner is asked to inspect the building by a private or independent agency within 45 days and prepare a report. Later, according to the report, the necessary renovation work is to be done within 180 days.

It can be seen on the surface, even after a month, the building owners could not hire any company. The police also did not stop heavy traffic on the road in front of the building. Even though the sidewalk in front of the building is cordoned off with a rope, anyone can enter. But no one is staying inside. Despite knowing the risk, shops on both sides are open. Various goods vehicles including trucks are kept in front of the building day and night.

It has been found that the two owners of the Queen Sanitary Market building are still in jail. Therefore, Rajuk's instructions are not being implemented.

Next to the collapsed building is a sanitary shop called 'Ramazan Enterprises'. It was closed after the collapse but has since reopened. The manager of that store. Nizam told Kalbela, "Initially after the explosion, I saw that this road was closed at night. If the heavy truck is driven in violation of the instructions then the accident can happen again anytime. It is a cause of fear for us.'

Abdul Latif, a sanitary shop worker, lives in a four-storey building near the Cafe Queen building. He said, after work, they live above the market. Heavy trucks ply the road throughout the night. The surrounding area shook. They cannot sleep properly due to fear.

Last Tuesday at 3:00 p.m., it was seen that the road in front of Cafe Queen building was still open. Heavy goods vehicles are running. According to the patrolling police, the responsibility of the traffic police to open or close the road, they do not know anything about it.

Engineer Ranggan Mondal, authorized officer of the area, was the member secretary of Rajuk's investigation committee. He told Kalbela, we have arranged to block the building with iron poles. Some of the columns of the building have been damaged and are in a dangerous condition. At this moment heavy traffic will create vibration in the building. There is a risk of major accidents happening again at any time. This instruction has been given in the report given by the expert committee formed by Rajuk. It is the responsibility of the concerned police station to implement it.

However, when OC Mojibur Rahman of Banshal police station was contacted, he avoided the issue of heavy traffic on the road in front of the building. He said, "CTTC is looking at the Siddikbazar incident." We do not know about this.

However, it has been found that the case of death due to negligence in Banshal police station in the case of Siddikbazar building explosion is being investigated by the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC) of the police. According to the sources related to the investigation of the case, they think that Titas gas accumulated in the building and collapsed due to explosion. Titus, Rajuk and the negligence of the building owner are also behind the collapse of the building.

ADC Rahmat Ullah Chowdhury, Head of Bomb Disposal Division of CTTC, who supervised the investigation of the case, told Kalbela that they are investigating the incident. In the meantime Titus visited the scene with his representatives.