Chaos was witnessed on day one of the implementation of the Punjab University’s (PU) vehicle free policy on Friday with visitors without valid stickers getting denied the entry into the campus.
With barricades put in place at all the three entry gates, checking of incomers started at each gate since morning and no vehicle without PU sticker was allowed. Even commercial vehicles are not allowed.
As even outsider without identify cards were not allowed to enter, they created scenes and even indulged in verbal spats with the security staff. One such person was claiming that he is a university student and be allowed him to enter, but was not allowed to enter the campus.
Majority, of PU students are happy with the initiative to make the university campus student friendly and to convert it into a vehicle free zone.
A student of geography department, Majini Gil said, “It’s a welcome step of PU authorities. I believe it will definitely reduce the traffic hassles inside the campus.” “I hope the parking chaos created by the outsiders during peak hours will not be seen from now on,” he said.
An outsider Rahul Dhiman, who is a frequent visitor of campus to meet his friends and use other facilities like food and library, said the move will create problems for students living off campus.
“A greater number of PU students live off-campus who may use different vehicles to commute. This may prove to be bothersome and I hope the authorities are prepared for a smooth management,” he said.
The chief security head from Punjab University, Ashwani Koul, said that eco-friendly campus and vehicle free zone is the prime agenda of the initiative. His team recommended this to the PU senate last year and finally it has been brought into effect starting today.
“We are facing some first-day issues of parking and some outsiders creating chaos by road blockage, when are not allowed to enter and a few other problems but these will be solved out sooner,” Koul told The Statesman.
The implementation of the vehicle free zone in PU comes with a plan which states selective entry of vehicle bearing university stickers will be allowed from Gate No 1,2 and 3.
Students, teaching and non teaching staff are required to carry their valid identity card. Students of evening studies and new students will be allowed entry only on two wheelers and cycles inside the campus.
Free shuttle service is available for transport of visitors to various departments in sector 14 and 25. E-rickshaw facility is available at nominal charges of Rs 10 per ride anywhere within the campus (sector 14 and sector 25).