Dhaka University has begun inspecting old and vulnerable buildings across its residential halls, engaging a BUET-led engineering team to assess structural conditions following the recent earthquake.
A team headed by BUET teacher Ishtiaq Ahmed inspected Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall on Sunday morning and Bangladesh–Kuwait Maitree Hall in the afternoon, the university’s public relations office said in a statement. Other halls will be inspected in phases.
Renovation work is already underway at Surya Sen Hall, Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall and Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.
The move follows an emergency meeting held on Saturday at the Vice-Chancellor’s office to review the post-earthquake situation on campus. Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan chaired the meeting, where a decision was made to inspect old and vulnerable hall buildings. Hall provosts, residential teachers and representatives of DUCSU and hall unions were present during the inspections.
The statement said the technical assessment report will be made public once completed. If any structural risks are identified, students will be relocated. Construction of new halls under the Dhaka University Development Project is expected to begin in March.
The meeting also reviewed BUET’s 2008 and 2015 engineering assessment reports prepared by the Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC), both of which declared Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall fit for residence. The university dismissed as false the rumour claiming BUET had declared the hall abandoned.
University senior management members visited hospitals to check on injured students and inspected various halls to assess conditions.
The statement further said that a Tk 149 crore repair and renovation project for university buildings will begin in the second week of December. Ongoing renovation of 175 rooms at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall will continue and be completed quickly.
The Tk 2,841 crore Dhaka University Development Project is progressing, with the education ministry approving Tk 60 crore in ADP allocation for the first fiscal year. Consultant recruitment for architectural and structural design of 31 buildings has begun, with notices to be issued from 24 November.
A project director has already been appointed, and the procurement plan for 2025–2026 has been published on the e-GP portal. The university and the project management unit are working to accelerate progress while following procurement laws and financial guidelines.
The five-year project, scheduled for completion by 2030, includes construction of six academic buildings, four female dormitories for 2,600 students, five male dormitories for 5,100 students, housing for hall tutors, two residential buildings for teachers and officers, five additional buildings including an administrative facility, renovation of reservoirs, repair of service lines, improvement of drainage and waste management, development of one playground and construction of two public toilets.
