The roads within the campus may remain a thoroughfare, but the building premises need not be so. The administration of Bangalore University (BU), after failing to limit the access of the roads within its expansive 1,000-odd acre campus to its students, is now preparing to fence the premises as a security measure.
The varsity is looking at garden fencing for all its buildings and blocks on its vast Jnana Bharathi campus to adhere to the requirements of security and safety for its students and staff as per the University Grants Commission (UGC), notwithstanding the mixed reactions the fresh guidelines have evoked across the country.
BU Vice-Chancellor B. Thimme Gowda told The Hindu that the roads within the university would remain open for the public, but movement of outsiders could be restricted inside the building premises. For this, however, the university is awaiting goodwill gestures from philanthropists or funding through Corporate Social Responsibility.
“We will require around Rs. 3 crore to fence the entire area on either side of the roads beginning at Mysuru Road and the Nagarabhavi Circle. We will need sponsorship,” Prof. Gowda said. BU is at a huge disadvantage location-wise as the roads passing through it are vital connecting links between various areas of west Bengaluru. The question over the right of usage of the roads has, in the past, led to a tug of war between the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the local residents and the varsity. With the BBMP now having repaired the roads, the debate has shifted from restricted the usage of roads to restricting entry into BU’s buildings instead.
As for the security measures, to begin with, eight CCTV cameras have been installed on campus.
“Gates will be the only entry and exit points to the buildings and will be manned by guards soon,” the Vice-Chancellor added.
