Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday directed the authorities concerned to take action against those responsible for the Uttara BRT girder accident following an investigation.

She made the directive while chairing the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) through a virtual platform from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other ministers and officials concerned were connected from the NEC conference room.

Planning Minister MA Mannan briefed reporters after the meeting.

Describing the accident as tragic, the PM wondered how the project director, contractors and other concerned did it without ensuring the safety measures.

A thorough investigation will have to be conducted and actions will have to be taken, she added.

The premier also asked the authorities concerned to consider whether the fuels can be imported from Russia, said MA Mannan.

“Low-income people are suffering a lot due to inflation. We’re trying our best,” she was quoted as saying.

Read: Dhaka BRT girder tragedy: Preliminary probe report submitted

In the meeting, the Ecnec cleared six development projects with the total estimated cost of Tk 2,505 crore (only additional costs of three revised projects were counted here).

Of the cost, Tk 1,628.13 crore will be drawn from the government’s fund, while the rest Tk 876.62 crore from the external sources.

Three fresh projects are: Improvement of Sonapur-Kabirhat-Companiganj (Basurhaat)-Dagonbhuiyan regional highway with the cost of Tk 457.02 crore; Construction of Chunkuri Bridge over the River Chunkuri at 28th km of Gollamari-Batiaghata-Dakop-Nolian Forest Road with Tk 745.33 crore; and Irrigation Extension in Barendra Area through Water Reservation in Canals-Phase-II with Tk 249.40 crore.

Three revised projects are :Establishment of Inland Container River Port at Ashuganj (1st revised) with additional cost of Tk 458 crore (now cost stands at Tk 1,751 crore); Construction of Road from Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Khal along the bank of Karnaphuli River (2nd revised) with additional cost of Tk 469.15 (now cost is Tk 2,779.39 crore); and BSCIC Printing Industrial Estate (1st revised) with extra cost of Tk 125.85 crore (now cost is Tk 264.55 crore).