JU students demand master plan

Jahangirnagar University (JU) students on Wednesday formed a human chain demanding the formulation of a comprehensive master plan and an end to unplanned development, including the construction of footpaths, on the campus.

The programme, organised under the banner of ‘Jahangirnagar Bachao Andolan’, was held in front of the university’s administrative building.

Sajeeb Ahmed Jenich, organiser of the Marxist faction of the Socialist Students’ Front, said they had been demanding a master plan for the university for the past seven years.

“We do not want any development work at Jahangirnagar University without a master plan,” he said.

He alleged that around 3,000 trees had been felled and numerous lakes and water bodies had been filled since the ongoing development projects began. Adri Angkur, president of the JU unit of Bangladesh Chhatra Union, said the consequences of unplanned construction could be seen around the new Arts and Humanities Faculty building.

“The road in front of the new Arts and Humanities Faculty building has to be closed during class hours because the area was not properly planned. Each natural element of the campus is connected to another. Development activities must take this into consideration,” he said.

He also said that the filling of the pond in front of the Teachers-Students Centre (TSC) had caused waterlogging at the Muktomoncho during the rainy season.

“No development work should be carried out without a master plan,” he added.