Huge Cracks on JU Buildings: Students Fear Possible Collapse

Huge cracks on JU buildings

Several cracks have been seen on the walls, ceiling and pillars of some buildings at Jahangirnagar University (JU).

Fear of a possible collapse raised among the students and loss of expensive equipment kept inside.

Over 300 teachers, students, and staff of the old arts building at Jahangirnagar University have long been carrying out their academic and administrative activities putting their lives at risk due to the dilapidated condition of the building.

Among eight classrooms on the first floor of the two-storey building, two were abandoned this September, as plaster of most part of the ceiling has already fallen off exposing rusty iron rods.

Professor Kamrul Ahsan, Dean of the Arts and Humanities faculty, also an archaeologist, said that due to the faulty structure of the building's roof, since it was built in 1972, it easily soaks rainwater during the monsoon. As a result, day by day new cracks are developing, plaster falling off, and rods sticking out of the ceiling, which makes the occurrence of a disaster very likely very soon, he added. An immediate repair of the roof is the only solution since it is also damaging the rest of the 42-year-old building, he said.

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Account BenefitIn September, Vice-Chancellor Farzana Islam inspected the building housing two departments - international relations on the ground floor and drama and dramatics on the first floor - and gave instructions to the university's engineering section to repair the roof.

A committee, which was formed regarding the matter, has also sent a report to JU acting engineer Akter Hossain in September, outlining necessary steps, but no initiative has been visible till date, Professor Kamrul said. Akter Hossain said they have received the report but will take initiatives after consulting with the government's Department of Archaeology on the method of the repair work.

A Professor of Drama and Dramatics department, Soma Momtaj said the authorities have asked them to transfer the department to the new arts building, but it would not be possible because there are no lab, examination hall, and seminar room there, which they need. She said that instead of addressing the problems of the old departments, the authorities are introducing new disciplines one after another, which ultimately hurts the academic atmosphere of the university.
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