Pbi varsity bans heavy-duty bikes on campus

Gagan K Teja

Tribune News Service

Patiala, April 26

Six months after the entry of the four-wheelers was banned on the Punjabi University premises, the university authorities have now decided to prohibit the plying of Royal Enfield (Bullet) and other heavy-duty bikes on the campus.

The university has decided to ban the entry of all bikes with engine capacity of 250cc and more, which means that Bullet and Harley Davidson bikes will not be allowed to enter the campus from the coming academic session.

The university authorities have taken the decision citing “noise pollution” the main reason behind it. It is worth mentioning that following the death of two students on the university campus in a month, the university had banned the entry of four-wheelers despite massive protests by various student organisations. The university even came up with parking spaces on different entry gates to ensure that the four-wheelers of all students are parked outside.

Even though it brought lot of relief, there is still a heavy rush of two-wheelers. The university has decided to ban heavy bikes claiming that they cause lot of disturbance.

Earlier, the university had decided to implement this decision from April 28 onwards but keeping in mind the ongoing examinations, the authorities have decided to postpone the implementation by one month.

The decision has evoked mixed response from students. While a large number of students, especially girls, are happy with the decision claiming that Bullet motorcycles were a nuisance on the campus and caused unnecessary disturbance, some students feel that the university’s move to restrict specific bikes was discriminatory and uncalled for.

“I had spent huge money to purchase my dream bike. Now all of a sudden the university has decided to ban it on the campus. Bullet motorcycle is not something illegal. So, banning it does not make any sense,” said Gobindpal Singh, a student.

Paramjeet Singh, another student, rued that he could not buy another bike just because it is banned on campus. The campus is so large that it is practically impossible to walk on foot for different works and buying new bike in no way an economical option.

Gagandeep Kaur said it was a good move considering the nuisance created by these bikes. Many boys had got the silencers of their bikes altered, which causes a lot of noise and are scary.

Gurtej Singh claimed that the noise coming from these bikes was so loud that it distracts you even when you are sitting in classes, attending lectures.

Punjabi University Registrar Devinder Singh said: “We had to identify two-wheelers that caused more pollution and run too fast. Therefore, we decided to ban Bullet and Harley motorcycles for the safety and convenience of students”.