5 pm? Campus out of bounds

Mohit Khanna 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 17

In a move that could ruffle the feathers of student unions in the wake of student union elections, the Panjab University authorities, from the new academic session, have banned the entry of students on the campus after 5pm.

Sources said that the move has been taken keeping in mind the ugly protest against the fee hike took place in the campus premises earlier this year. 

Sources further said that the idea behind restricting the entry of students in university after 5 pm, was to target a lobby of students who had allegedly instigated the protest against the PU authorities. 

In a communiqué issued by public relations department of the university, the campus authorities stated that no student shall be allowed entry in the PU after 5 pm and on the university holidays without permission.

The move which could rattle the students’ fraternity, the university authorities stated that hostelers, research scholars, students going to the library and students attending the PCP in the USOL will have to take special permission.

Besides, students of Department of Evening Studies will be allowed entry only on two-wheelers and must carry a valid identity card. Vehicles which do not have university parking stickers will not be allowed in the academic area. 

PU takes steps to make campus vehicle-free

The Syndicate of Panjab University has issued guidelines to convert the campus into a vehicle-free zone. The university authorities have also banned the honking of horns on the campus.  

The authorities have stated that new students shall not be allowed to come to the department on four wheelers. They could either come on two wheelers or cycles.  In the new academic sessions, university is introducing separate stickers in lieu of old stickers— green for faculty, brown for staff/resident and blue for students.

Besides students, teaching/ non-teaching staff of the PU-affiliated colleges should carry their valid identity card. Further, a free shuttle bus service is available for transport of visitors to various departments in Sector-14 and 25. E-rickshaw facility is available on nominal charges of Rs 10 per ride anywhere on the campus (Sector-14 and 25).

The university has also started vehicle towing drive. It has been stated 

if any vehicle will be parked of road or in no vehicle zone then it will be towed away.

Provisions are being made to place five boom barriers and check gates at four places to enforce the rule. The frequency of the shuttle bus services already in service will be enhanced covering Gate No. 1, 2 and 3 and sufficient parking space will be created around Gate No.1 and Gate No. 2 for the smooth transitioning into no vehicle zone.