Vehicular restriction on DU campus creates good academic atmosphere

The Dhaka University authorities have imposed restrictions on the entry of external vehicles inside the campus, which has significantly reduced traffic congestion in the area, ensuring safe and comfortable movement for students.

Students of the university welcomed the move, calling it a bold initiative by the authorities to create an education-friendly and noise-pollution-free environment.

In a notice published by the proctor’s office on December 14, the university authorities banned the entry of all types of vehicles through all the entrances (Shahbagh, Doyel Chattar, Burn Unit, Shibbari Crossing, Fuller Road, Palashi, and Nilkhet) from 3 pm to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and other government holidays.

Additionally, the movement of external vehicles inside the campus has been banned from 5 pm to 10 pm on regular working days.

Only vehicles with DU stickers and emergency vehicles, including ambulances, media, and government cars, will be permitted inside the campus, according to the notice.

Speaking to BSS, Jannatul Wakia, a residential student of Ruqayyah Hall, welcomed the university administration's decision, stating that the step to limit vehicle access on campus is a great initiative that previous administrations did not even dare to take.

 “Due to external vehicle movement, I faced problems many times on campus. Sometimes, it took 20 minutes to get from TSC to Ruqayyah Hall. Moreover, I have hearing problems, so I cannot tolerate loud noises,” she said, sharing her bitter experiences from her five years on campus.

She added that she was pushed by rickshaws and motorcycles several times while crossing the roads near the TSC Metrorail station.

Another student, Bristi from the same hall, shared similar experiences and expressed her happiness that the university has set limitations on vehicles entering the campus at certain times of the day.

“Before, it was horrific for me to cross the roads, even on campus. But now I can cross the road easily,” she said.

Another student, Rukaiya Binte Mofiz, shared her frightening experience on Facebook.

“My friend and I were on our way to the exam hall on November 19. We were in a rickshaw. When we reached near the TSC area, a private car hit our rickshaw and drove away. I fell off the rickshaw. Fortunately, I had only a minor injury,” she wrote, expressing her disappointment over the incident.

Moniruzzaman, a student from Sir AF Rahman Hall at Dhaka University, said the measure taken by the university administration was timely and would help ensure a safer environment for students on campus.

DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, “This is a university. We cannot allow external vehicles to use this campus as a bypass road. It is risky for our students, teachers, and staff. It is nearly impossible to reverse the decision.”

Asked about public suffering, he said, “I know city dwellers are suffering a little because of this, and I’m sorry for that. But we are trying to improve the management every day. We are regularly consulting with experts and traffic authorities. They assured us of their full cooperation in this matter. We have decided to create emergency lanes for ambulances and authorized vehicles.”

“Our staff are not experts or trained, so some unexpected incidents are occurring. But this problem will disappear soon. For BUET, we have opened our Palashi road and allowed vehicles to pass through. Again, traffic jams in Dhaka are not new, but the way people accuse us of causing them is very painful,” he added.

Mehedi Hasan Shakil, Assistant Police Commissioner (Traffic) of DMP Shahbagh zone, said, “Due to the closure of the university roads, traffic congestion in the Shahbagh and Nilkhet areas has worsened. Earlier, traffic jams would clear by 7 pm or 7:30 pm, but now they continue until 8 pm or 9 pm.”

“Due to the excessive traffic, we have increased the number of traffic police in certain areas during that specific time. Since the road is closed when office hours end, the traffic jams are worse,” he added.