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Vehicle restrictions at Dhaka University: A public dilemma

Published : Sunday, 22 December, 2024 at 10:42 PM  Count : 713
Ibnul Hasan
Ibnul Hasan

Ibnul Hasan

Dhaka University's decision to restrict external vehicle access during specific hours has sparked widespread frustration among the city's residents as the new rules, limiting vehicle entry from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM on weekends, coincide with peak traffic hours, amplifying Dhaka's already critical congestion issues. 

The recent decision of Dhaka University to restrict entry for external vehicles from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on workdays and from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays has raised a storm of frustration across Dhaka. 

While the university may have had security or logistical reasons for this restriction, the timing of this decision is problematic as it clashes with peak hours for traffic, when the public most urgently depends on these roads. This move does not only affect Dhaka universities’ students and faculty; it impacts daily commuters, emergency services, and local businesses, further exacerbating the already strained traffic conditions in the capital.

The hours of the restriction fall within some of the busiest periods in Dhaka's daily traffic cycle. From 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on workdays, people are returning home from work, children are leaving schools, and many essential services operate. Similarly, the weekend restrictions from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. overlap with the time when families are heading out for errands or entertainment, adding an additional layer of congestion and inconvenience.

The no-entry timing for vehicles during peak hours exacerbates the already critical traffic-jams that characterize Dhaka. It is bound to cause sullen bottlenecks in nearby areas, considering the DU roads are key transit routes for thousands of commuters every day, with few routes to divert. Closing this route during peak hours neglects the needs of smooth traffic flow for the general population of Dhaka.

Dhaka is notorious for traffic gridlocks, and this is adding to it. The streets around DU are vital and connect major parts of the city, like business centers, hospitals, and educational institutions. It is blocking the access to thousands in critical times, which turns out to be a critical issue for people who depend on these routes to find their way across the jammed roads of Dhaka. This is leading to disgruntlement among the commoners.

Also, restrictions that impact basic transport like buses and rickshaws mean disturbances to this essential manner of movement of people around Dhaka. The drivers in Dhaka-one of the world's most jammed cities-make difficult lives more unbearable for drivers in an effort to take their passengers where they are supposed to be taken to. The new rules also affect emergency vehicles, which may be caught up in traffic and hence reach hospitals or accident sites late, putting lives at risk. Several ambulances have been witnessed stuck in the traffic caused by these restrictions, further putting the lives of those in urgent need of medical attention in danger. This oversight could have serious consequences for individuals requiring immediate medical intervention, as timely response is critical in emergencies.

The decision to close off public roads without consideration for the wide-ranging effects of such a decision demonstrates a serious lack of vision and inability to balance the needs within the university with those in the larger community. Such a decision reflects not only a lack of sensitivity on the part of the university administration but also a failure of values that a university of excellence, like DU, should be upholding-social responsibility, empathy, and collective thinking. One would have expected students of such a prestigious institution to have considered the public good and devise a more pragmatic solution, rather than resort to a move that would exacerbate an already problematic traffic situation.
While it is clear that the university's administration has its reasons for tightening security or controlling traffic, the solution of restricting external vehicles at these times seems to be without much awareness of its effects on the general public. There are other ways of ensuring campus security and improving the university's internal logistics without causing huge disruption in the city's movement.

DU could limit access to high-security zones - specific areas like dormitories, academic buildings, and faculty offices - without keeping the entire campus out of reach for all vehicles. These roads can be kept open for the general public since they are quite essential for the general traffic flow of the city.
Similar to other major institutions worldwide, DU could have introduced technology like scanning devices or access-controlled gates for students and staff to enter restricted zones on campus, without disrupting public traffic flow.

The university could have worked with city authorities to find a solution that balances security concerns with the needs of commuters. This could include establishing drop-off points or adjusting traffic signals to mitigate any adverse effects of the restrictions.

While this might be within Dhaka University's mandate, either to improve security or streamline traffic within its campus, the timing is highly unfortunate for the general public on account of certain restrictions against the flow of traffic along public roads. The closing of such strategic routes, especially during rush hours of traffic, simply shows indifference to the welfare of society at large. Instead of blanket restrictions, DU could have implemented more targeted solutions that preserve the flow of traffic while addressing its own security needs. Dhaka's residents, who are already fighting daily traffic nightmares, deserved better than this ill-thought-out measure.
Moreover, the delays brought about by these restrictions are not just an inconvenience; they are potentially life-threatening. Ambulances caught in the jam due to the closures vividly bring into focus that such decisions can have serious, even fatal consequences.

This decision is certainly disappointing coming from the students of Dhaka University, which is regarded as one of the best educational institutions in Bangladesh. As a university that should set an example, it was crucial for them to consider the broader social impacts of their actions and come up with a more balanced solution. For the well-being of all people in Dhaka, it would be beneficial for the university to revisit its approach, ensuring that both campus security and public welfare are given the attention they deserve.

The writer is a final-year law student at University of Asia Pacific, with an interest in labor rights and economic development.




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