Introduction
The Control Yuan, Taiwan’s top government watchdog, has officially censured the Taipei City Government’s Department of Rapid Transit Systems for significant structural damage to the Circular Line following the April 3, 2024, earthquake. The 7.2-magnitude quake caused severe failures in critical infrastructure, raising concerns over the construction quality, oversight, and accountability of public transportation projects.
The watchdog found that the BES Engineering Corporation, the contractor responsible for the project, had failed to follow approved blueprints, leading to widespread structural failures. The Control Yuan urged authorities to pursue legal action and seek compensation to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for compromising public safety.
Extent of Damage and Investigation Findings
The April 3 earthquake led to 11 disconnected box girders, damage to railway lines, and failure of 139 devices along the Circular Line. The most severely affected section was between Banqiao and Zhonghe stations, forcing a complete shutdown of operations for eight months.
According to Control Yuan members Jao Yung-ching (趙永清) and Yeh Yi-jin (葉宜津), the damage was directly linked to construction flaws, inadequate supervision, and regulatory oversight failures.
The Control Yuan’s investigation identified several key issues:
- BES Engineering Corporation deviated from the approved blueprint, leading to weakened structural integrity.
- The Taipei Rapid Transit Systems Department failed to enforce strict quality control measures, resulting in poor oversight of the project.
- The First Construction Division, responsible for supervising the Circular Line’s development, did not follow regulatory standards, which contributed to construction defects.
- Second-level quality control was not implemented effectively, allowing subpar materials and flawed designs to pass inspections.
Due to these failures, the Control Yuan issued a formal censure and demanded stronger accountability mechanisms to prevent similar disasters in future public infrastructure projects.
Legal and Financial Repercussions
In response to the findings, both Taipei and New Taipei City governments have announced plans to take legal action against BES Engineering Corporation.
- New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) stated that the city has already hired legal counsel to prepare a lawsuit against BES.
- Taipei City officials confirmed that they will file a separate lawsuit by the end of March 2025.
- The two cities are demanding NT$1.927 billion (US$58.42 million) in compensation from the contractor for the damages and disruption caused.
Taipei’s Response and Defense
The Taipei Rapid Transit Systems Department defended its role, stating that it had conducted quality control inspections and that verifiable documentation exists to prove its efforts. However, the Control Yuan insists that regulatory enforcement was inadequate, leading to the severe impact of the earthquake on the transit line.
Control Yuan’s Future Monitoring and Recommendations
The Control Yuan emphasized the importance of public construction quality, urging relevant authorities to learn from this incident and implement stricter regulations and oversight. It also confirmed that it will continue monitoring compensation proceedings to ensure that public funds are recovered and those responsible are held accountable.
With the lawsuits pending and an increasing public demand for stricter safety measures in transportation projects, the case highlights the critical need for improved construction practices, regulatory enforcement, and government accountability in Taiwan’s infrastructure development.
FAQs
What caused the damage to the Circular Line after the April 3 earthquake?
The damage was caused by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan. However, an investigation by the Control Yuan found that construction flaws and poor oversight contributed significantly to the extent of the damage.
What kind of damage did the Circular Line sustain?
The earthquake caused box girders to disconnect at 11 locations, railway line damage, and failure of 139 devices, leading to an eight-month suspension of operations between Banqiao and Zhonghe stations.
Who is responsible for the damage?
The Control Yuan identified BES Engineering Corporation as the primary responsible party for failing to follow approved blueprints. Additionally, Taipei Rapid Transit Systems Department and its First Construction Division were blamed for poor oversight and weak quality control measures.
What legal actions are being taken?
Both Taipei City and New Taipei City have announced plans to sue BES Engineering Corporation for NT$1.927 billion (US$58.42 million) in damages. Taipei plans to file a lawsuit by the end of March 2025.
How will the Control Yuan ensure accountability?
The Control Yuan has committed to monitoring compensation efforts and has called for stronger regulations to prevent similar issues in future infrastructure projects.
What does this case mean for public construction in Taiwan?
This incident highlights the urgent need for improved construction quality, stricter regulatory enforcement, and better government oversight in Taiwan’s infrastructure projects.
