How justified is Dhaka University's vehicle movement restriction?

On 13 December, Dhaka University restricted vehicle movement through its campus.

"This is an educational institution, not Sadarghat or a fish market," DU Proctor Saifuddin Ahmed said, defending the restriction. The primary goal, he noted, is to ensure a secure academic environment where students, teachers and staff can move freely without fear.

The unrestricted flow of vehicles, according to Ahmed, had created a chaotic and unsafe environment for students, with incidents of harassment and snatching becoming increasingly common.

The proctor said he has seen improved campus conditions since the restrictions were implemented. "Today, people moved around the campus much more comfortably. Without these restrictions, such ease wouldn't have been possible," he said.

While acknowledging the increased traffic congestion at the university's entry gates, he mentioned that the authorities are working with the traffic department to create buffer times to ease the situation. 

However, the ground reality remains that city residents suffered greatly from traffic jams in the Shahbag, Dhaka Medical College and New Market areas. 

Beyond exacerbated traffic woes, one thing the city can most certainly live without, this restriction has wider implications and has ignited a debate on the issue. 

Denying access to public space

Critics of the restrictions argue that the measure's implementation has been poorly planned, causing significant disruptions in surrounding areas.

Frustration was palpable among city residents who intended to access the public space within the campus on weekends. Dhaka University, after all, was not limited to students alone all these years. Shahid Minar and DMC are located within the DU campus, which warrants public access.

Furthermore, most of the roads where the university has restricted traffic fall under the jurisdiction of Dhaka South City Corporation. However, Dhaka University authorities stated that they had consulted with the DMP Traffic Department and the City Corporation before implementing their decision.

DU Sociology Associate Professor Samina Luthfa criticised the restrictions, highlighting the adverse impact on patients accessing hospitals around the campus. In a Facebook post, she argued against banning all vehicles through the campus, calling it a 'public space'.

Urban Planner Professor Adil Muhammed Khan raised broader concerns about the implications of restricting public roads in a city like Dhaka. 

"Dhaka University is not just a university; it is a part of our history, public space and urban reality," he told TBS. Over decades, the campus has become central to the city, surrounded by vital institutions like Dhaka Medical and New Market. These routes through DU are often the easiest for commuters. "Imagine if BUET also decided to restrict access. What would happen then?" he asked.

This urban planner emphasised the need for DU to accommodate urban realities rather than isolating itself. He suggested alternative measures to enhance safety, such as increased surveillance, categorizing nuisances, or restricting specific types of vehicles rather than imposing blanket bans. Blocking access for private cars or rickshaws, which are integral to city life, creates larger systemic problems, he argued.

Professor Khan also warned that restricting access could diminish DU's historical role as a hub for national movements. Public roads used for decades become a right for the people, and limiting access undermines the university's significance as a gathering place for protests and demonstrations.

The public access to this campus, perhaps, is one of the most significant aspects of this university which makes it a greater part of Bangladesh's history from 1952 to 2024. 

During the uprising against Sheikh Hasina, which entered its final stage on 3 August, people from all walks of life used the streets of Dhaka University to reach Shahid Minar, where Nahid Islam announced the one-point demand for Hasina's fall. 

"If people cannot gather, the greater role of Dhaka University will also shrink," Professor Khan said.

More traffic, even less public support 

On the day when the restrictions went into effect, ambulance drivers were stuck for a long time on the roads. From rickshaws and bikes to private cars, the cascading effect of the traffic restriction was felt in the entire Dhaka University neighbourhood. 

An ambulance driver, Md Rubel, told TBS that it took him two hours to cross the Dhaka Medical area due to the jams caused by checkpoint inspections.

External vehicles have been restricted from entering several key university points during specific hours. These restrictions apply from 5pm to 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends and holidays.

Exceptions include vehicles with DU stickers, ambulances, media vehicles and government vehicles. 

"We have kept the road from Palashi to the High Court open, with no barriers through Bakshi Bazar, the Burn Unit, and other areas. However, we have restricted traffic in sections like Udayan School, Russel Tower, and Doyel Chattar to maintain control over this part of the campus," the DU proctor said. 

Is the blanket ban justified? 

The debate over DU's vehicle restrictions highlights the tension between ensuring safety and maintaining the university's integration into the city's fabric. 

Now, the administration's concerns about student security are no doubt valid but the disruptions caused to commuters and emergency services cannot be ignored. 

What is needed is a more nuanced approach, one that addresses safety without isolating the campus. To that end, Adil Muhammad Khan argued that spaces like the Shaheed Minar, located within the campus, hold national importance. Restricting access to such spaces could have far-reaching consequences for public life in Dhaka.

In its efforts to secure the campus, DU must consider its responsibility as a public institution located in the heart of Dhaka. Striking the right balance between safety and accessibility will require collaboration between the university, city authorities and the public. 

Only then can the university ensure a safe academic environment while maintaining its role as an integral part of Dhaka's urban landscape.