Residents around BU warn of protest against vehicle ban on campus

BENGALURU: The residents of 27 villages around Bangalore University’s (BU) Jnana Bharati campus have expressed their outrage and warned of protest against a proposed ban on movement of vehicles on the campus.

The university students had protested after a PG student, Shilpa Shree, fell from the footboard of a moving bus. Bangalore University’s administration, along with various government department officials, held a meeting on Thursday to discuss issues such vehicle ban, unscientific speed breakers and other safety measures.

The students of Bangalore University protested against the movement of vehicles and unscientific speed breakers.

In the meeting, it was discussed that vehicular movements should be allowed on the university premises from 6 am to 8 pm and curtailed thereafter.

Bangalore University’s administration and officials of government departments at a meeting on Thursday.

The residents of village nearby too discussed the issue of the connecting roads with the university administration. If the university road is closed, then villagers have to be dependent on Kengeri Road, and they warned that they will launch a stir if the movement of vehicles is banned.

Marilinge Gowda, a local resident.

“It was an unexpected accident, but the road had been there for so many years. Around 5 lakh people are dependent on this road for commuting. If they want to close the road, an alternative route needs to be arranged or we will protest against the university,” said Marilinge Gowda, a local resident.

The report of the meeting regarding the issue has been submitted to the government, and next week another meeting will be held with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

Dr Jayakara S M, Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University.

“We got word about the accident when we were in the meeting, and immediately we decided to cover the expense of the treatment. Shilpa Shree is our student and the whole university is with us. We do not oppose anyone, but we are concerned about the safety measures. If necessary, we will organise a meeting with the villagers regarding the issue,”said Dr Jayakara S M, Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University.