Key points:
- College campuses in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai will not reopen on Monday.
- On the other hand, colleges in Raigad and Palghar under the university’s jurisdiction will welcome their students after an 11-month-long break next week.
MUMBAI: College campuses in Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai will not reopen on Monday. In a letter to Mumbai University, BMC said it will take a decision by February 22 after reviewing the impact of throwing open local trains to all on Covid-19 cases in the city.
On the other hand, colleges in Raigad and Palghar under the university’s jurisdiction will welcome their students after an 11-month-long break next week. The state government had passed a resolution permitting universities and colleges to start physical classes from February 15.
In the state, Pune and Nagpur universities have got permission from their local authorities while the Amravati varsity has not, at least in February.
BMC commissioner I S Chahal confirmed to TOI the civic body has not permitted reopening of colleges and will review the rise or fall of Covid cases before taking a final call.
Earlier, BMC had refused permission to allow reopening of schools too. A university official said BMC has cited an increase in Covid cases after the trains allowed entry to the general public.
“We were told that the administration will review the situation till February 20,” said a university official. The university will issue a circular to colleges soon. He added so far the local administration from only two districts under the university have given a go-ahead for physical classes. The BMC decision will also have an impact on Mumbai colleges affiliated to SNDT Women’s University.
Thane district collector Rajesh Narvekar said they are still taking feedback from all six corporation regions in their jurisdiction. “We may come out with different policies for urban and rural areas,” he added. Thane, Navi Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar corporations fall under the district.
Raigad district collector Nidhi Choudhari said they have given permission to colleges to open. Colleges in Ratnagiri will not be allowed to start classes now.
Ratnagiri collector Laxminarayan Mishra told TOI: “We are yet to finalise the date.”
The state’s higher and technical education minister Uday Samant had asked the state’s chief secretary to coordinate with railway authorities to allow college students to use local trains.
Chief secretary Sanjay Kumar, though, said the state will make an announcement as soon as permission is granted.
Amravati’s district collector Shailesh Naval said the decision on reopening colleges will be taken only in March.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with principals from leading colleges, Mumbai University has recommended a few guidelines for colleges in regions where classes will resume. They have suggested calling PhD, post-graduate and final-year practical students first. The university asked colleges to record lectures and independently decide on the schedule. Colleges have been asked to keep separate visiting areas, avoid guest lectures, and keep tabs on students entering and leaving the campus.
