College edu dept orders safety inspections ahead of monsoon

Jaipur: The college education department has written to principals of all govt colleges to conduct safety inspections of college buildings ahead of the monsoon.

Principals have been instructed to ensure immediate cleaning of the college building rooftops to prevent water stagnation, as well as the cleaning of the rainwater drainage systems (gutters and pipes) and the sewage system within the campus.

The department has instructed college administrations to source funding for immediate repairs in the buildings through the MP fund, MLA fund, local bodies (municipal corporation/council/committee), state disaster management fund, college development committee, or the student fund.

“Conduct a thorough inspection of all electrical wiring, switchboards and the generator room to prevent short circuits during the rains. Immediately repair any structural defects within the college building — such as damaged roofs, exposed reinforcement bars or open/damaged electrical switchboards. Ensure that there is no risk of fire or electric shock resulting from electrical sparks of any kind,” stated the guidelines issued Monday.

Colleges have been asked to ensure that all outdoor lighting fixtures are properly waterproofed.

The department has further instructed that classes or any other activities must not be conducted in rooms within the college building where cracks have appeared in the roof slabs, the ceiling plaster has deteriorated, or where dampness is evident in the ceilings and walls. Such buildings or specific sections thereof are to be clearly marked as “unsafe” via notice boards and vacated, along with robust measures in place to ensure that no movement or access (by students, staff or any other individuals) is permitted in these sections of the building.