The Control Yuan on Tuesday censured the Taipei Department of Rapid Transit Systems over damage the MRT Circular Line sustained after a major earthquake on April 3 last year.
Control Yuan members Jao Yung-ching (趙永清) and Yeh Yi-jin (葉宜津) said that different degrees of liability should be assumed by the competent authority, authority in charge, construction supervisor, architectural designers and construction contractor.
The massive earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, caused box girders to disconnect at 11 spots on the line, and damaged railway lines and 139 devices, resulting in the suspension of operations between the Jhonghe (中和) and Banciao (板橋) stations for eight months.
Photo: Hsieh Chun-lin, Taipei Times
The main reason for the severe damage was due to BES Engineering Corp’s failure to adhere to an approved blueprint, causing sections of the MRT rail line to shift by up to 93cm, the Control Yuan said.
The department, as the agency in charge of construction, failed in its responsibilities of supervision and oversight, while design firm CECI Engineering Consultants Inc, Taiwan failed to account for the “site effect” at the interface of girders and other components, Yeh said.
The department failed to uncover potential risks in the design as it did not test the overall structural integrity, even though it was the first elevated bridge rail in Taiwan to use the “stack platform” style, she said.
“It was lucky that no MRT train was passing over it during the earthquake that caused the 93cm displacement. Government agencies must learn from this incident, to prevent such a disaster,” she said.
Chen Chien-hung (陳建宏), who heads the department’s first construction division, on Thursday said that the department and division did fulfill their quality control duties, providing supporting documentation.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) said the city is preparing to suit BES Engineering over the issue.
Chen said that Taipei would also file a lawsuit against the company at the end of this month.
The cities are seeking NT$1.927 billion (US$58.48 million) in compensation from the company.
Additional reporting by Hsieh Chun-lin and Jason Pan
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