A bus belonging to Jagannath University (JnU) was severely damaged on Sunday morning after a fire broke out at a repair garage in the Matuail Madrasa Bazar area of Dhaka.
The vehicle, named ‘Nongor’, operates on the university’s Narsingdi route, providing vital daily transport for students commuting between the capital and outlying districts. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in connection with the incident, which occurred at approximately 10:00 am on 18 October.
According to university authorities, the bus had been sent to the workshop on Saturday, 17 October, to undergo routine maintenance and painting work during the Durga Puja campus holidays. Eyewitnesses reported that the blaze originated from petrol near another vehicle parked inside the garage. The flames rapidly spread to the adjacent Jagannath University bus, engulfing roughly half of the vehicle before firefighters arrived to bring the situation under control.
The damage inside the bus is extensive, with the seats charred beyond repair. Although fire crews responded swiftly to extinguish the flames, the vehicle will require substantial restoration work before returning to regular service.
The Transport Administrator of Jagannath University, Tareq Bin Atiq, confirmed that university representatives visited the scene shortly after receiving news of the outbreak. He stated that discussions were held with the garage authorities, who have assured the university that they will accept full financial responsibility for the damages incurred.
While the exact extent of the monetary loss and a definitive repair timeline remain under assessment, university officials expressed hope that the necessary work can be completed within the ongoing holiday period to avoid disrupting student commutes once classes resume.
