Dhaka, Bangladesh – Admission tests for the 2024-25 academic year at various universities have started. This year, Dhaka University (DU) and Jagannath University (JNU) held their admission tests on the same day. This caused significant trouble for students and their families. The combined tests led to severe traffic congestion, especially in the old Dhaka area.
Today, Saturday, heavy traffic jams were seen from Gulistan to Jagannath University in old Dhaka from the morning. Students had to walk several kilometers to reach their exam halls.
Even though vehicles heading to Sadarghat were diverted from Tatibazar and Roy Saheb Bazar মোড়, traffic jams persisted up to Gulistan and Paltan. This information was shared by students, parents, and ride-sharing drivers.
The Dhaka University ‘A’ Unit exam for science subjects took place at three centers: Sohrawardi College, Government Kabi Nazrul Islam College, and Mahanagar Mahila College. Thousands of students came to take the DU exam. This increased the traffic problem even more. Students faced extreme difficulties because of this.
On the same day, Jagannath University also held its ‘B’ Unit exam. Around fifty thousand students are expected to take this exam. The ‘B’ unit exams are being held in three shifts: 10 AM to 11 AM, 1 PM to 2 PM, and 4 PM to 5 PM. The intense traffic jams are causing problems for the examinees.
Nazmul came from Uttara to take the exam. His exam is in the second shift. To reach the center on time, he had to walk from Gulistan due to the traffic. He said, “My exam is at 1 PM. I left home in the morning. But I got stuck in terrible traffic. I walked from Gulistan. The whole road was full of cars and people.”
Rumi Khatun traveled from Roy Saheb Bazar by rickshaw, which took her 25 minutes. She said, “My exam is from 1 PM. But walking this distance would have taken less time. However, my legs hurt if I walk a little. That’s why I took a rickshaw.”
Sajjad Hossain came with his son from the airport to the JNU exam center. They used a ride-sharing service and got stuck in the Gulistan traffic. He said, “My son’s exam is in the afternoon shift. But it took a long time to come from the airport. It took almost one and a half hours to come from Gulistan. The whole road was full of people and vehicles. Many people were also walking.”
It is important to note that Jagannath University (JNU) has started conducting its admission tests in its own system again after four years. Today’s ‘B’ Unit exam is for the Faculty of Arts and Law. The exam is being held in three shifts: 10 AM to 11 AM, 1 PM to 2 PM, and 4 PM to 5 PM. According to university sources, there are 42,974 examinees for the ‘B’ unit. There are 785 seats available. For each seat, 55 students are competing.