Dhaka University (DU) authorities have declared that its residential halls are structurally safe following the November earthquake, although experts have identified a section of Salimullah Muslim Hall as “vulnerable.” 

Repairs on the affected steel props of the hall are expected to commence within a few days.

After evaluating the university’s hostels in the wake of the tremor, officials concluded that none of the buildings are structurally at risk. Professor M. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Treasurer of DU and Chairman of the Post-Earthquake Vulnerable Buildings Oversight Committee, provided the update during a press conference held on Monday at Professor Abdul Matin Virtual Classroom.

Speaking at the event, Professor Chowdhury outlined the ongoing renovation works in the hostels and shared details of the university committee’s report. “No hall has been deemed unfit for residence. Students can safely stay in all our hostels,” he assured.

On 21 November, four technical sub-committees were formed to assess post-earthquake damages. Each included a civil engineering professor from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Their reports contained short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations.

Based on these recommendations, DU has planned 19 repair projects. Immediate repairs have been prioritised for the washroom blocks of Shamsunnahar Hall, which were damaged in the quake. In addition, overhead water tanks in the affected blocks have been emptied, and the installation of temporary plastic tanks is nearly complete.

Experts have flagged a section of Salimullah Muslim Hall as “vulnerable.” Repair work on the damaged steel props is set to begin within days. The committee has also recommended conducting Detailed Engineering Assessments (DEAs) in several halls, a process expected to take at least three months. These assessments will determine long-term structural measures.

Repairs are nearly complete in three halls: 167 out of 175 rooms in Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hall, all 141 rooms in Surya Sen Hall, and all 121 rooms in Muktiyoddha Ziaur Rahman Hall.

During the 5.7-magnitude earthquake on 21 November, several students were reported injured after jumping from hostel buildings. Subsequent tremors over the next few days heightened anxiety on campus.

In response, DU suspended all academic activities from 22 November to 6 December to allow students to safely evacuate halls and for inspections and repair work to proceed. The winter vacation was extended until 27 December, with regular classes set to resume on 28 December, when hostels will also reopen.