Panjab University resident students continue to flout hostel parking norm

Akashdeep Virk

Chandigarh, July 10

Tall claims of the Panjab University authorities on not allowing four-wheelers of students at hostels seem to have fallen flat as a number of such vehicles allegedly belonging to resident students can be seen parked outside the hostels on the campus. Despite a ban cautioning hostel residents from keeping or brining four-wheelers to the campus, students continue to flout the rules.

As per hostel rules handbook, hostel residents are not allowed to bring or keep four-wheelers at PU hostels. However, only two-wheelers registered with the office of the hostel warden are allowed to be parked. “While visitors contribute to traffic woes on the campus, resident students parking their four wheelers at the hostels is adding to the problem,” said Atul, a student at the university.

Over the years, the university has repeatedly issued warnings to the students, but to no avail. Last year, the Dean Students Welfare (DSW) had issued notices, warning the hostel students to stop keeping or bringing four-wheelers to the campus. The wardens were also advised to check that no four-wheelers were parked around their respective hostels.

“We don’t allow any hosteller to keep a four-wheeler. However, wardens cannot always identify vehicles parked outside the hostels. This should be checked by the security personnel deputed on the campus,” said a warden on the condition of anonymity.

Various reports claimed that a circular was issued last November, asking students to remove four-wheelers from the campus or face consequences. “The university charge a nominal monthly fee for parking of two-wheelers. The hostels are under surveillance 24×7 and anyone parking their vehicle can be traced down easily. This is to be tackled strictly with the help of the university security staff,” maintained an official.