Unlit streets worry girl students at PAU

LUDHIANA: It���s dark days at Punjab Agricultural University these days with the streetlights leading to girls��� hostels and in playgrounds remaining non-functional every evening.
According to information, the lights installed at washroom for girls in playgrounds have been fused since three months and the university has turned a blind eye towards students��� requests for replacement of bulbs and adequate lighting system at these places.
Students say they feel unsafe walking on the campus these days as the days have started becoming smaller. ���It gets dark early and we try to be back by 7pm. However, if it gets late, I call my friends to come and pick me up as walking in a group is far safer,��� a PAU student told TOI. The students complained that despite reporting the matter to authorities, no corrective measure had been adopted.
���It���s really bad in athletics track as it is pitch dark there. We can���t even practice and work out,��� another girl claimed. Though the varsity has stationed security guards along the roads to hostels, most of the time they are reportedly seen outside the hostel gates. ���Though two guards are supposed to be at the gate, we often see five or six near nightfall,��� the student added.
PAU���s estate officer Gurkirpal Singh said they had received a representation from the girls. ���We have sorted out the problem that they were facing with the security guards,��� he said, and added the security officers had been asked to take proper action.
About installing streetlights, he said a number of these had been put up recently and more would be added soon. He assured taking personal rounds to check the ground reality.