Severe traffic congestion disrupted large parts of Dhaka on Wednesday as students from seven government colleges blocked several key roads, demanding the immediate issuance of an ordinance to establish Dhaka Central University.
The protests began late in the morning and intensified around midday when students marched out from Dhaka College and blocked the busy Science Laboratory intersection shortly before 1 pm. Witnesses said additional road blockades were set up at the Tantibazar intersection around 11:45 am and at the technical intersection at about 12:30 pm.
Vehicular movement in the affected areas came to a complete standstill, causing long tailbacks and widespread disruption for commuters. Traffic congestion later spread to Farmgate, one of the capital’s busiest transport hubs, with vehicles reportedly backed up as far as the Elevated Expressway.
Passengers using public transport faced long delays, while private vehicles and emergency services also struggled to move through the gridlocked roads as traffic police attempted to manage the situation.
The demonstrations are part of an ongoing student movement pressing for the approval of an updated draft of the Dhaka Central University Ordinance. Protest leaders want the ordinance to be approved at the Advisory Council meeting scheduled for 15 January and subsequently promulgated by the president.
The draft ordinance was first published on 24 September 2025 and later revised following consultations between the Ministry of Education and relevant stakeholders. However, students say the delay in formal approval has prolonged uncertainty over the future of the seven government colleges.
According to protest organisers, the proposed Dhaka Central University would bring Dhaka College, Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Girls’ College, Shaheed Suhrawardy College, Kabi Nazrul Government College, Government Bangla College and Government Titumir College under a single administrative structure.
Students warned that the protests would continue if their demand was not met within the stipulated timeframe. Similar demonstrations have taken place in recent months at several locations across Dhaka, including the High Court intersection and Shikkha Bhaban road, where students previously blocked traffic to press for the same demand.
Authorities did not immediately issue an official response to the latest protests, while traffic police remained deployed across the capital to ease congestion.
