Vehicle ban: Kashmir University panel wants upgrade of facilities, special passes

Rifat Mohidin

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 15

The 11-member committee constituted by the University of Kashmir to review the vehicle ban on the campus met here on Wednesday and recommended upgrade of facilities and issuance of special passes for emergency purposes.

The University of Kashmir banned vehicles on the campus last month when the National Assessment and Accreditation Council team was touring the institution. The ban is part of its ‘green campus initiative’. As many officials opposed the vehicle ban, the university formed a committee to review the issue and come up with recommendations.

“The meeting was held today to evolve a consensus on the issue of vehicular restrictions on the university campus. It was, inter alia, unanimously decided that till adequate arrangements as demanded by the presidents of three associations are made by the administration, vehicular entry passes be issued to desirous employees of the university, subject to the condition that they will park their vehicles only at designated slots,” said a committee member, who attended the meeting on Wednesday.

While the KU Teachers’ Association has endorsed the move, the committee members have recommended that the vehicles owned by the university be allowed to ferry the students and faculty to their respective departments.

“In any campus if you take such an initiative, there should be proper facilities in place. There should be battery-operated vehicles on the campus and till those arrangements are made, our recommendation should be considered,” another panel member said. The committee is headed by the dean, academic affairs, Prof Akbar Masood.