Security beefed up to check vehicles using PAU ‘shortcut’

Since the sprawling campus of the varsity has eight gates — which extend from Ferozepur Road, Sidhwan Canal to Kitchlu Nagar — many people try to enter through one gate and move out from another to avoid red lights and traffic on Ferozepur Road. PAU aims to curb this menace by way of double barricading, which is put on two gates in a day on an average.

PAU Estate Officer Jaskaran Mahal said, “Some influential people try to break the rules. Double barricading is to stop such elements from entering PAU. Day scholars will enter showing passes that we will issue. Also those who want to buy seeds and ornamental plants should enter from gate number 2 only. We want to restrict the movement of general public near PAU residences and the research farms.”

Apart from the 15 people hired from POSCO, PAU has 40 employees in its security team who have regularised jobs, while another 110 people are employed on a contractual basis.

Recently, both PAU and POSCO staff had been provided with walkie talkie sets to make it easier for them to identify notorious vehicles entering the varsity.

Talking to The Indian Express, a member of the security team said, “People lie and say we have to go to a particular department but they cross from another gate. They use PAU as a shortcut. Some try to use their political connections by taking names of MLAs, MPs and even local MC councillors. We brought this to the notice of authorities and now double barricades will be put up. Also, some students misbehave and get their friends in, who then create nuisance.”