Boundary wall to AEC need of the hour: AAEA

Guwahati: The All Assam Engineers' Association (AAEA) has strongly called for the demarcation of the Assam Engineering College campus and the construction of a solid boundary wall to safeguard the prestigious institution in Jalukbari, Northeast India. The organization, while expressing condolences for the recent tragic incident that claimed the lives of seven AEC students, emphasized the need for a secure residential campus where hostel residents cannot venture out after specified evening hours.

Following the incident, concerns were raised regarding security measures at the college. The AAEA's statement highlighted the fact that the AEC campus is no longer isolated as it was decades ago, with a significant number of residents entering and exiting through its gates round the clock.

A delegation from the AAEA, including President Er Kailash Sarma, Working President Er. NJ Thakuria, and Secretary Er Inamul Hye, who incidentally all studied at AEC three decades ago, visited the campus and interacted with the boarders of Hostel-7, where the victims resided. The delegation also held discussions with the authorities regarding the unfortunate incident and other pertinent issues. The delegation observed a deteriorating campus environment, with an increasing number of public and private vehicles passing through the AEC road.

The AAEA expressed shock at the encroachment of large areas within the AEC campus. Previously, the college was surrounded by the Gauhati University hills to the north and Deepar Beel to the south. However, the southern part of AEC now houses numerous private residences, including multi-storey apartments. The AAEA criticized the authorities for allowing construction in low-lying areas, designated as the green belt adjacent to the wetland, which has posed hazards to the college environment. They urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to address the issue and remove the encroachment on AEC land.

Several years ago, the AEC administration had requested the state government to construct a boundary wall to separate the private residences from the college campus. The proposed construction was to begin near the ASEB power office, adjacent to the National Highway, and extend to the AEC guest house, touching the LP school. The wall would then proceed along Tetelia Road and the rear of the principal's office, finally encompassing PWD Chock, Hostel-3, and the Assam Police Radio Organization office in the west. Additionally, it was suggested that private land within the campus be acquired or requisitioned for the benefit of the AEC authority.

The AAEA expressed support for enhancing AEC, which recently received accreditation from the National Board of Accreditation in five disciplines, raising its status to a global standard. They emphasized the need for the timely completion of the new RCC block of Hostel-7, replacing the Assam-type building, which was sanctioned in 2014-15, for the welfare of the students.