Over a year after a female post-graduate student was allegedly molested on the Kalina campus of the Mumbai University, the 213-acre facility is yet to get CCTV cover.
Following the incident at Ranade Bhavan last August, the varsity had planned to install 300 closed-circuit television cameras at the entry and exit points, main and adjoining roads, outside departments, hostels and adjoining areas, canteens, library and similar spots.
When DNA visited the campus on Tuesday, apart from the main entrance at the Kurla and Santacruz ends, not a single CCTV could be spotted. Only a handful of department buildings have CCTVs at the entry and exit gates and in the vicinity.
"It's scary to move from one spot to another after 6 pm. There are very few street lights on the main roads, but on the narrow roads, there're no lights. Even if they install CCTVs on those roads, what will they capture anyway?" asked an inmate of a hostel on the campus.
Supriya Karande, a senate member representing the Yuva Sena and who is also the in-charge of the CCTV camera project, said she has been following up with the university officials to get the work expedited. "Every time they give some or the other reason for the delay. This time they (the security department) said the tendering process is in the last stage. Did it take them a year to get here?" asked Karande.
A senior official from the security department said each department has been given the responsibility of installing CCTVs in their corridors, outside washrooms and similar spots under the internal phase. He said a committee has been formed as per the guidelines of the state government for the safety and protection of students in educational institutions.
The official said, "The project is now in the sanctioning stage and as soon as that happens, the work shall begin. Meanwhile, in the internal phase, 25 to 30% work has already been done by many departments."
On Back Bench
|
Following allegations of molestation last year, MU planned to get CCTVs
|
However, majority of the open areas do not have the surveillance cover, DNA found
|
| Security officials say project is in the sanctioning stage |
