PU delays 4-wheeler ban, promises to get it right this time

Chandigarh: Panjab University's latest attempt to regulate campus vehicle access has hit a familiar roadblock, as the four-wheeler entry restrictions for outsiders, initially set for May 1, have been delayed. This setback follows a history of failed attempts, including a 2015 referendum-backed plan that stalled due to enforcement issues, and a 2018 attempt that quickly fell apart. The university had issued a notice that only four wheelers of day scholars with stickers will be allowed to enter in PU but with only about 100 vehicle stickers issued in the past week—exclusively to faculty and non-teaching staff—the new system remains far from operational.
A senior university official explained that the delay isn't just a matter of printing stickers; it's about creating the right infrastructure to back up the new system. "It is not just about issuing stickers; we need to build the necessary backend support and parking solutions to make the system effective," the official said. Though the delay may be disappointing to some, it's seen as a strategic move to avoid the same pitfalls that have hindered previous attempts to regulate vehicle access on campus.
The current plan to restrict four-wheelers follows earlier efforts that faltered due to poor execution and lack of adequate infrastructure. In 2015, after a student referendum showed strong support for vehicle restrictions in academic zones, the university attempted to ban four-wheelers. However, enforcement issues and insufficient security led to the policy being suspended. Similarly, a 2018 attempt to ban four wheelers also did not bear fruits.
When the new rules are finally implemented, day scholars will be allowed to bring cars onto campus, while hostellers will be limited to bikes. However, the four-wheeler restrictions will only take effect once the necessary infrastructure improvements are completed.
PU authorities have assured that they remain committed to implementing the system, but for now, the priority is getting everything right to ensure that the changes are both effective and sustainable in the long term.
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The RFID sticker system, which is expected to control access to the campus, is still in the early stages, currently in the tendering process. According to PU Registrar YP Verma, the necessary budget has already been allocated, but there's still much to be done before full deployment can happen.