Dhaka, Aug 13 – Rail communication between Dhaka and northern districts was disrupted on Wednesday after students of Rabindra University blocked tracks at Ullapara Railway Station in Sirajganj, demanding approval and full enforcement of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the university’s permanent campus.
The blockade began at 9:00 AM (local time), stranding eight trains, including the Silk City, Chilahati, Rangpur, Ekota, Dhumketu, Kurigram, Chitra Express, and an oil-carrying carriage at Chatmohor. Bangladesh’s Western Railway General Manager Farid Ahmed confirmed the disruption but said schedules had not yet been significantly affected.
The protest follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued by students during an earlier demonstration on Sunday at Hatikumrul Golchattar. The demand stems from frustration that, despite the university’s establishment nine years ago, construction of its permanent campus has not begun. Students, faculty, and staff say they face severe hardships in conducting academic activities at the temporary facilities.
Protesters vowed to continue their agitation until the DPP is approved and the campus construction is fully implemented. “We will not leave until the project begins in earnest,” they declared.
The demonstrations are part of a series of protests this year. Earlier on Monday, students blocked the Dhaka–Pabna highway to hold a freshman welcoming ceremony on the road due to insufficient seating in the temporary auditorium. From January 19 to 30, they also staged consecutive highway blockades, prompting government assurances that led to a temporary suspension of protests.
However, with no progress on DPP approval, the agitation resumed on July 26 during Rabindra University Day, when students boycotted the event. Wednesday’s rail blockade marks the latest escalation in their campaign to pressure authorities into delivering on long-standing promises for a permanent campus.
