Editorial
A brick falls, a youth dies
Criminal neglect of public safety
THE death of a young man, a college-going student, as a result of a brick falling on him from an under-construction building the other day reflects the impunity with which basic rules relating to construction are still being flouted. This is not the first time that people have died in such tragic manner. Workers employed in construction work have fallen over the edge and have lost lives. All too often, the owners of high-rise structures do not care to take measures to ensure that their workers remain safe as they go about their work. At the same time, as the death of this young man at Panthapath has shown yet once again, measures to ensure the safety of people in the neighbourhood through putting up screens or nets on and around under-construction buildings are simply absent.
The time has come for serious action. The authorities responsible for approving building plans must also ensure that owners, architects and engineers reassure them that in the course of the construction all safety measures, both for workers and people in the neighbourhood, are in place. In modern times, it is the general rule that when buildings are refurbished or new buildings go up, strong scaffolding and a fencing off of the place are there. We think it is now important that such a system be introduced in Bangladesh. The indifference with which construction materials --- bricks, mortar, cement --- are piled up on public pavements and roads must not be tolerated any more.
Our prayers and sympathies go out to the family of the young man who has died. We expect thorough, swift and exemplary action to be taken against those who are directly or indirectly responsible for the tragedy. Let this sordid story be a spur to action on the part of the authorities.
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