Savar factory collapse
S. A. Mansoor, Dhaka
A lot has been written about the collapse of the nine-storied garment factory. However going through the various news reports, there are still certain facts, which needs to be clarified to get the real background of the matter. It seems that the Cantonment Board did not approve the construction plan submitted in 2001. Three years later when the owners submitted a new plan, for constructing a four storied building, the Cantonment Board instructed the owners to conduct soil and related tests before the approval could be given. Here begins the root of non-transparency. What are the related tests? These cannot be expressed in generalities, but in specific data required. Where were these test reports submitted and scrutinised and approval for the four storied constructions given? This needs to be clarified.If the answer is in the negative, then obviously it was an illegal construction. The next question is what steps did the Cantonment Board take to legally stop this illegal construction? Did the Cantonment Board even after all these discrepancies and non response of the owners kept its eyes shut "to see no evil" and defacto allow the nine storied building to be built? If this is the case then the Cantonment Board is an accessory to this act of criminal negligence. No wonder, no one seems to be at fault. At least the police sources do hint that the owners are too big to touch! Possibly it will all wash down to "an act of God" and except for platitudes the powers that be will conclude, "qua sera sera; what will be, will be".
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