MNNIT for automated entry, exit

IN THE wake of the recent Sirsi Dam incident in which two students were drowned after leaving the premises on February 18, the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has decided to go for automation of the entry and exit points of the campus.

A proposal to this effect was mooted by MNNIT director Prof Arun Baran Samaddar during a high-level meeting held by the deemed university to discuss the aftermath of the incident.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Prof Samaddar said automation of the entry and exit points would be implemented in all the varsity hostels as well as the main gates of MNNIT.

“Initially we will tighten the existing rules with stress on frequent inspections in the hostels by members of the proctorial board and cross-checking of the exit of students during non-academic hours,” Prof Samaddar said.

He further said automation of the entry-exit system would include issuance of magnetic coded cards to students and employees, which would contain particulars of the students and employees.

He added that it could take some time to get the system in place and, in the meantime, the MNNIT administration would introduce token passes and punch cards for the entry and exit of students and employees.

Prof Samaddar asserted that the multi-faceted card would have the capability of opening the electronic interlocking system proposed to be installed in the hostel rooms. The entry and exit of students would be monitored and cross-checked by members of the proctorial board and the official in-charge. The monitoring server housing the data of students would store particulars about the entry and exit of students, he added.

Prof Samaddar further said reminder warnings to students urging them not to go Sirsi Dam were circulated on the hostel premises weeks before the recent tragic incident and the same was exhorted by the proctorial board members a week back.

He informed that surveillance cameras were also being installed at sensitive and important places inside the MNNIT campus in the wake of the recent threat received by the varsity.

These surveillance cameras would have a central control manned by the security staff of MNNIT, he said. “We are fully committed towards maintaining a high academic standard of MNNIT and for this we are ready to take all possible measures in the interest of students and the institution,” Prof Samaddar added.

Meanwhile, the proctorial board members have been instructed to conduct special counselling sessions for students to apprise them about the sensitive places they should not visit.

Appreciating the role of the proctorial board members during the Sirsi Dam incident, Prof Samaddar said the members took prompt action then.

He further said special counselling sessions would be held by the proctorial board members to counsel students, particularly those hailing from other States.

He said a formal request was being made to the district administration of Mirzapur to erect a warning board in Sirsi Dam area for the excursionists.