Students’ roadblocks cause traffic woes in Dhaka

Students in Dhaka blocked roads at multiple locations on Wednesday (14 January), demanding the implementation of the proposed Dhaka Central University. The movement, coordinated by seven colleges, caused major difficulties for the general public.

The roadblocks occurred at Science Lab, Technical intersection, Tantibazar intersection, Mohakhali, and Farmgate from around 12:00 pm. The students are urging the interim government to approve the “Dhaka Central University Act 2025” at the upcoming Advisory Council meeting on 15 January and for the President to issue the final ordinance simultaneously.

Police reported that the blockades caused severe traffic congestion in these areas. Additional personnel were deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Md Aminul Kabir Tarfadar, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) of Lalbagh Zone, told Jago News that students of Kazi Nazrul Islam College and Suhrawardy College blocked the Tantibazar intersection in Old Dhaka from 11:30 am, halting all vehicular movement.

Regarding the blockade at Technical intersection, Assistant Police Commissioner Imdad Hossain Bipul of Darussalam Zone, Mirpur Division, said students of Bangla College blocked roads at Gabtoli, Technical intersection, and Mirpur, causing heavy traffic congestion. Police urged the students to clear the main roads.

Meanwhile, following protests on the elevated expressway demanding justice for fellow student Sakibul Hasan Rana’s murder, students of Tejgaon College also blocked the busy Farmgate intersection, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Students of Government Titumir College briefly blocked the Mohakhali intersection to demand the implementation of the proposed university in coordination with the other colleges. This blockade lasted about fifteen minutes, after which traffic returned to normal with police assistance.

Additional Police Commissioner Ziaur Rahman Zia of Gulshan Zone confirmed that the road has now been reopened and traffic is normal.