Jaipur: The college education department has instructed principals of all govt colleges to conduct safety inspections ahead of monsoon before colleges reopen this month.In an order issued Tuesday, the college education department instructed all principals to ensure that classes or other activities “must not be conducted in college building rooms where roof slabs have developed cracks, ceiling plaster has crumbled, or dampness is visible on ceilings and walls.”“Ensure that such buildings or sections are identified, marked with ‘unsafe’ notice boards, and vacated. Close off such parts of the college with immediate effect,” state the guidelines.The department guidelines further mention that inspection of all electrical equipment must be done to prevent short circuits during rain. Colleges have been instructed to ensure waterproofing for all outdoor lights and buildings so that rainwater does not accumulate around the foundation of the building.Colleges have been instructed to ensure immediate clearing of any water accumulation on college rooftops and the cleaning of rainwater drainage systems (drains and pipes) and sewage systems within the campus.“Water accumulation around the college building weakens the foundation and increases the risk of wall or roof collapse. To ensure the safety of the building, construct adequate drainage channels (whether unpaved or paved) to facilitate water runoff,” state the guidelines issued to principals.For funding for urgent repairs, the department has instructed principals to start work after obtaining approval for proposals and cost estimates from sources like “MP or MLA local area development funds, urban local bodies, state disaster management fund, college development committee, or student fund.”The department has further ordered that for colleges where the building is currently under construction, but where operations can be conducted in completed sections or classrooms, the administration must coordinate with the executing agency to ensure that the college operates during the new academic session.
