Chhatra Union to submit memo to DU VC for shifting Metro Rail route from campus

Expressing solidarity with Dhaka University (DU) students' movement, Bangladesh Chhatra Union's DU unit yesterday announced submission of a memorandum to the vice-chancellor and holding a demonstration on January 18 demanding that the proposed metro rail route not run through the campus.

The leftist student body also threatened tougher movements, urging to construct an alternative route through Ramna and Matsya Bhaban area. The unit's President Liton Nondi made the announcement at a press conference at Madhur Canteen. He said the metro rail would lessen the attraction of historic monuments, including the Raju sculpture, memorials and graves of three leaders, and the Dhaka Gate, and would create sound pollution.

"...a part of the Raju sculpture will be permanently covered by the shade of the metro rail," he added saying, as per law, no structure like metro rail can be built within 200 square metres of any historical building.

The construction would begin towards the end of next month and there is no scope for the route to change, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said recently.