After the recent spate of earthquakes, a team of experts from BUET has inspected Surja Sen Hall of Dhaka University to conduct its technical audit and assessment.
If any risky aspects of the building are identified through the assessment, the DU administration will arrange to safely relocate the students elsewhere.
Present during Tuesday’s inspection of Surja Sen Hall were Professor Ishtiak Ahmed from the Civil Engineering Department of BUET, Provost of Surja Sen Hall Professor Md Rafiqul Islam, representatives from the university’s Engineering Department, and the hall’s student union.
Prior to this, a central coordination committee was formed, with the Treasurer of Dhaka University, Professor M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, as the chairperson, for the technical audit, assessment, and monitoring of various residential halls and buildings post-earthquake.
Later, four sub-committees were formed under the central coordination committee.
The Dhaka University administration has stated that these sub-committees, formed with the coordination of BUET experts, will complete the inspection and technical audit and assessment activities of the residential halls and buildings in the shortest possible time.
After the inspection, the technical assessment report will be made open for all, and detailed information regarding this will be kept at the Engineering Department and the respective halls.
On 21 November, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck various parts of the country, including Dhaka. During that time, the structures of several residential halls at Dhaka University were damaged. Cracks appeared in the walls of some, and plaster fell from the ceilings of others.
Reports were received that out of fear, students from several halls jumped from the balconies and were injured.
After this, students of the university launched a movement demanding the allocation of the modern 20-story “Shadhinata Bhaban” for students. It had been originally allocated for employees.
At one stage, the authorities declared the university closed for 14 days.
