Allot exam centres within 2-km radius: Senate member to NU

Nagpur: With Vidarbha reeling under an intense heatwave, Nagpur University (NU) Senate member Manmohan Bajpai has urged the university administration to allot examination centres within a 2-km radius of students' colleges to minimise travel difficulties during the peak summer conditions.In a letter addressed to vice-chancellor on Wednesday, Bajpai pointed to the prevailing extreme temperatures and referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal on fuel conservation, requesting that students be assigned examination centres either in their own colleges or nearby institutions.He suggested that centres located beyond a 2-km radius should preferably be avoided and sought immediate intervention for students who have been allotted distant centres for examinations that are yet to begin.Bajpai also demanded that the university verify essential facilities at examination centres before finalising allotments. He said basic amenities such as clean drinking water, functioning fans, hygienic washrooms, adequate lighting, proper desks and benches, and free parking should be ensured for students.According to him, several students have reportedly been assigned far-off centres despite suitable options being available closer to their colleges. He also referred to complaints regarding inadequate facilities at certain examination venues."Providing relief to students from extreme heat and ensuring fuel conservation should be the university's priority," Bajpai said, urging the administration to issue necessary directions and offer immediate relief to students.