PU may get 2 automated gates

Amarjot Kaur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 4

Panjab University (PU), which has been grappling with traffic congestion, parking-space crunch and chaotic management of vehicles, may get a renovated entry and exit system soon.

A proposal floated by the traffic committee today suggests that two automated gates with sensors be installed at the PU Gate No 1 and at the road between the Admin Block and USOL. While the committee deliberated on finding a remedial route to sort out the traffic mismanagement, members of the student council protested against the blocking of road adjoining the Admin Block and the Vice-Chancellor Secretariat on the pretext of “beautification”.

A source from the panel shared: “The automatic gates at the university will keep the outsiders at bay. The sensors will allow only PU vehicles to enter the premises. Installed with chips or stickers, these vehicles will be identified by sensors that will prompt the gate open.”

About the cost of the project, the member said: “It may cost somewhere between Rs 10 and Rs 20 lakh. However, it will end up solving the security and traffic issue. It’s like hitting two birds with one stone.”

While the proposal awaits a formal inclusion in the Syndicate and the Senate, agenda, several members are for it. “If vehicles from outside are not allowed on the campus, there’ll be less chaos and students will be motivated to use bicycles also,” said another panel member. He added: “We have seen maximum vehicles near hostels and we will soon issue a letter to the wardens regarding this.”

Putting bicycles to use

A proposal for starting a digital rental operations software bicycle app system at the PU , which is existing in Panchkula, was also put forward. “The app system will function on the same format as the one in Panchkula. Some 20-30 more bicycles were distributed at several departments of the PU today,” said a panel member.

About a year ago, 91 bicycles were distributed at the PU. The university had procured 277 bicycles under the Corporate Social Responsibility of Stock Holding Corporation of India. However, most of these bicycles have been lying unused. The panel suggested measures to put these cycles to use.

Students protest against

blockage on road

The PUCSC and Panjab University Students Union (PUSU) protested against what they deemed as the “unnecessary blockage of the road from the VC office that leads to the Administrative Block”. PUCSC Vice-President Rahul Kumar said: “Even in the last meeting, they decided to open the road, but to no avail.”

The student union demanded lifting of pots from the road. The protest was lead by Vipan Singh Vippy of PU’s Department of Education. “The pots on the road are unnecessary. The road leads to some 10 PU departments and is jammed during the peak hours, especially at 9 am and 5 pm.”