A rule to be enforced by Anna University officials that will impose a fine of up to Rs. 6,000 on students found using bikes or cars on the campus has upset many.
Officials, however, say the rule will ensure a higher level of safety for students on campus. The rule is not new but it is only now that it is being enforced with severity, said officials. Punishment under the rule will include suspension too.
“We have no problem with them parking their vehicles in the parking lot. But most of them drive their vehicles right into the campus. This only means more danger for other students and animals that are found on the campus,” said a senior professor.
Students say with the campus being very vast, it becomes imperative for them to use two-wheelers to reach classes on time. “The number of day-scholars is not that high so there are not many bikes. Staff members can drive in their vehicles till their respective departments. Why can’t we?” said a student.
Many students also feel the university is stressing on this rule now due to numerous incidents of theft. “By imposing such a rule, the authorities want to reduce the number of vehicles on campus, so that there is no need for more security personnel,” said a student.
Last year, many private colleges tried to impose a rule preventing the use of bikes by their students. A few such as Sathyabhama University and many private colleges continue to implement the rule.
Meanwhile, the police are holding talks with colleges to check the use of two-wheelers by students due to a rise in the number of road accidents. This year, there have been at least five deaths in accidents involving students on bikes. “We are in talks with colleges especially those on OMR and Poonamallee because the number of road accidents in these areas has increased in the last three years,” said a police officer.
“We do not allow first- and second-year students to bring vehicles to the campus. But it is not easy to enforce rules on the senior students. We have regular checks on licence and pillion driving though,” said principal of a college in Sriperumbudur.
Students of private colleges, however, say for many of them, cost is a matter for consideration.
“Colleges charge a fee as high as Rs. 20,000 a year for transport alone. For many of us who are part of third or final year projects, college is a must only three days a week. It is a waste paying so much,” said R. Manikandan, an engineering student.
