Students Protest Against High-Speed Ramp Construction in Chittagong

Students from Bangladesh Mahila Samiti (Bawa) school and Chittagong city college took to the streets to protest against the construction of a high-speed ramp on the elevated expressway.

The protest, which lasted from 11 AM to 12:15 PM on Wednesday, September 19, was held on the main road in front of the school. Students held placards with slogans such as “Stop hammering the last nail in the coffin of GEC-Wasser” and “One point one demand, stop to build a ramp.”

According to the students, the construction of the ramp has caused significant traffic congestion in front of the school, with two-thirds of the main road being shortened. This has resulted in heavy traffic every day before and after classes, affecting not only Bawa School but also CMP School and College on the other side of the road.

The school authorities had submitted a written request to the Chairman of the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) in May to stop the construction of the ramp, but the work has continued.

Acting Principal of Bawa School and College, Arif ul Hasan Chowdhury, stated, “About 10,000 students of our CMP School and College travel along this road every day, causing heavy traffic jams before and after classes. If the ramp is built, the traffic jam will become permanent.”

Despite the concerns raised by the school authorities and students, the construction company has almost completed digging the hole in front of the main gate of Bawa School and College. The construction work has also created small holes in the area, making the road muddy and causing difficulties for commuters.

The traffic police are struggling to manage the heavy traffic, and ordinary people who travel on this road are suffering due to the construction work.