DU's infrastructural landscape to undergo major changes

A comprehensive infrastructural development project for Dhaka University with an estimated budget of Tk 28.40 billion (Tk 2,840.39 crore) has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The project which got the ECNEC go-ahead on July 27 aims to transform the overall landscape of the university through the construction of new academic buildings, administrative facilities, residential halls, libraries and other important infrastructures.

Details of the project were presented at a press conference held on Wednesday (30 July) at 12:00 pm in the Abdul Matin Chowdhury Virtual Classroom of the DU administrative building. DU Treasurer Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury outlined the plans in the presence of Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Administration) Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha, the proctor and the registrar.

As part of the project, six new academic buildings, five residential halls for 5,100 female students, four residential halls for 2,600 male students, nine buildings for house tutors, two residential buildings for teachers and staff, and several other structures including a new administrative building will be constructed.

The development also includes beautification of the campus, renovation of existing infrastructure, improvement of the drainage system, construction of public toilets, enhancement of sports fields, and proper waste management.

Among the residential halls for female students, a 15-storey building will replace the current Shahnewaz Hostel, a 10-storey and a 6-storey block will be built on the existing site of house tutor quarters in Shamsunnahar Hall.

A 10-storey hall will also be constructed at the site of the current Kuwait Maitreyee Hall.

For male students, a new 12-storey building will be built at Sergeant Zahurul Haque Hall, an 11-storey building at Masterda Surja Sen Hall,15-storey and six-storey blocks at Dr Muhammad Shahidullah Hall, similarly structured buildings at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, and 10-storey, 8-storey, and 5-storey blocks at Dr Qudrat-e-Khuda Hall.

Several major construction projects are also planned for faculty residences. The existing provost bungalows of Surja Sen Hall and Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall will be demolished and replaced with new bungalows for the pro-vice chancellors. On South Fuller Road, existing buildings no.12 and 13 will be replaced with a 15-storey residential complex featuring 112 flats for teachers.

In the academic sector, the extension of the Central Library will be demolished to construct new 12-storey and six-storey blocks. A 10-storey building will be constructed for ISRT and the Department of Pharmacy, replacing the current ISRT building. Additionally, a three-storey building will be constructed for the Department of Botany, and a five-storey academic complex will replace several existing structures in the Faculty of Fine Arts. The existing one-storey structure of the Faculty of Business Studies will be replaced by a 10-storey tower named "Bir Uttam Khaja Nizamuddin Bhuiyan MBA Tower".

A new academic and press building will also be constructed at the current location of the press and Nilkhet police outpost.

Other significant developments include a six-storey Shaheed Buddhijibi Dr Murtaza Medical Centre at the site of the current class IV staff quarters in Shivbari, a four-storey Masjidul Jamia Complex (Central Mosque) and a 12-storey multipurpose DUCSU building. The current administrative building will be reconstructed into two new blocks, one with 20 storeys and another with four. Additionally, the previously unfinished gymnasium will be completed.

The budget earmarked Tk 9.7238 billion (Tk 972.38 crore) for residential halls including house tutor quarters, Tk 1.50 billion (Tk 150.08 crore) for faculty and staff housing, Tk 4.5036 billion (Tk 450.36 crore) for academic buildings, and Tk 4.7206 billion (Tk 472.06 crore) for central facilities such as the mosque, medical centre, administrative building, DUCSU complex, and gymnasium.

Tk 506.3 million (Tk 50.63 crore) is allocated for drainage improvement, while Tk 2.7337 billion (Tk 273.37 crore) is set aside for electrical installations such as lifts, air coolers, generators, and sound systems.

Additional allocations include Tk390 million (Tk39 crore) for fire safety measures, Tk 144.2 million (Tk 14.42 crore) for reservoir renovation and campus beautification, Tk 200 million (Tk 20 crore) for road and service line infrastructure, Tk 570.2 million (Tk 57.02 crore) for physical education facilities, Tk 510.06 million (Tk 51.06 crore) for consultancy services, and Tk 1.983 billion (Tk 198.30 crore) for purchasing furniture.

Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan remarked that this massive infrastructural development will enhance the university's academic capacity and meet many future needs. He emphasided the importance of transparency and called for collective support and consultation to implement the project successfully.

Treasurer Professor Jahangir Alam added that the project is scheduled for completion by 2030 and the implementation plan and responsible parties are yet to be finalised. The university plans to consult with the government to determine the most effective and transparent way to carry out the project work.

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