A bearing pad from Dhaka metro rail line came loose and fell on a pedestrian at Farmgate on Sunday, killing him instantly. The incident happened around 12:15pm near the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, close to the Farmgate metro station, police said. A similar incident took place on 18 September last year, when a bearing pad detached from a different pillar.
What is bearing pad and why is it installed?
A bearing pad is a rectangular component made from a combination of rubber and steel, functioning somewhat like a mattress. The elevated track of the metro rail is known as a viaduct, which supports the rail lines and associated structures. The viaduct itself rests on columns or pillars, which are referred to as piers in engineering terms.
Each viaduct span is made of concrete and typically measures between 30 to 40 meters in length. Since both the viaduct and the piers are constructed from concrete, placing one concrete structure directly atop another can lead to friction-related issues — such as wear and displacement. Bearing pads are placed between the viaduct and the piers to protect this.
The construction and operation of Dhaka metro rail are overseen by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). According to the company sources, each span between two pillars contains four bearing pads that means each pillar supports four rubber pads. Additionally, these pads are layered with rubber and specialised steel to ensure durability and stability.
According to the experts, bearing pads are heavy. Commonly used in bridges and flyovers to dampen vibrations, these elastomeric pads are crafted from neoprene or natural rubber and positioned between the joints of piers and viaducts. Some designs feature several internal steel layers embedded within thick rubber for added strength and durability.
Probe body formed
A man died when a bearing pad from the metro rail pillar suddenly detached and struck him directly on the head. He died on the spot. Two other persons standing nearby were also injured and were sent to the hospital for initial treatment.
Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said that a five-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident.
The committee will be headed by Mohammad Abdur Rouf, Secretary of the Bridge Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The other members include Dr ABM Toufique Hasan, Professor of Mechanical Engineering of BUET; Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahidul Islam, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at MIST; and Brigadier General (Retd) Mohammad Abdul Wahab, Project Director of Line-5 at DMTCL. Deputy Secretary Asfia Sultana will serve as the member secretary of the committee.
The committee will review previous accident reports, prepare recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, and identify those responsible for the current accident. It has been asked to submit its report to the ministry within two weeks.
Bangladesh launched its first metro rail service on 28 December 2022, initially operating between Uttara and Agargaon. Over time, the number of stations increased, and by the end of 2023, all stations up to Motijheel were open for passenger service. Currently, work is underway to extend the line to Kamalapur.
When the Dhaka metro rail project was approved in 2012, the estimated cost was Tk 21,985 crore. That figure has since risen to Tk 33,472 crore. Bangladesh secured a loan of Tk 19,718 crore from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to fund the project.
