Security boxes at DU entrance, students happy but city dwellers not

Earlier, Dhaka University (DU) campus was easily accessible, but the administration has suddenly set up security checkpoints at 7 entrances of the university. Although this has brought relief to the students yet the city residents are not happy.

It is learned that on December 12, the university's Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan inaugurated the barrier and security and surveillance box at the entrance of the university adjacent to Palashi intersection. In addition to this entrance, security checkpoints and security and surveillance boxes were set up at Nilkhet intersection, Shaheed Minar, Shahbagh, Shahidullah Hall, High Court intersection and Shibbari Crossing intersection.

From December 13, vehicles without stickers, heavy vehicles, public transport and outsiders are not allowed to enter the university area.

On Thursday (December 26), it was seen that barriers have been placed in front of the Mukti O Gonotontro Toron adjacent to the Shahbagh and Nilkhet areas of the campus. Members of the Proctoral Mobile Team and students are controlling traffic. No one except teachers, officials, employees, students and ambulances are being allowed to enter. This has created severe traffic jams on both sides of the road.

The installation of security checkpoints at the entrance has increased a lot of suffering. Those who are coming to work or visit the university are also stuck in the traffic jam.

A pedestrian named Arafat Rahman said, I was stuck for a long time while buying a product in Nilkhet. The authorities should have thought before taking such a decision.

OC of Shahbagh Police Station said that traffic jams have increased on Shahbagh, Nilkhet, Bangla Motor, and Matsabhaban roads since the new security system of Dhaka University.

Ramna Traffic Department Deputy Commissioner Manzur Ahmed Siddique told Views Bangladesh that traffic congestion on other roads has increased due to the control of vehicles on the campus.

A rickshaw puller who was unable to enter the DU campus said, "We are hard-working people. If we cannot enter the campus, our income will be cut off. We have not been earning for a few days. On the contrary, our suffering has increased."

Due to the traffic congestion, rickshaw pullers are also charging extra fares. The fare of 30-40 taka is sometimes being charged as high as 80-100 taka. DU students are also suffering. However, the students have no regrets about the higher fares. They are happy that the campus is free from outsiders.

Meanwhile, it is reported that 10 more members have been hired in the proctorial team to control traffic.

When asked about the suffering of outsiders, Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed told Views Bangladesh, "I prioritize the safety of students. I cannot keep the campus open for anyone's entertainment. Until now, people used to come and go here free of cost. Now, if you disrupt that, you will make negative comments. I am not obliged to keep my university open for anyone's convenience."