Mumbai University-affiliated colleges in coastal districts postpone exams

Gokhale College at Shrivardhan bore the brunt of Tauktae. It had also suffered heavy infrastructural damages last year due to cyclone Nisarga

As power and communication networks in the coastal districts of Raigad, Palghar and Sindhudurg were hit by cyclone Tauktae, many colleges in these areas that are affiliated to the Mumbai University could not conduct exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Some of these institutes have also suffered infrastructural damages, said authorities.

Sources said MU has allowed the colleges to reschedule the examinations from these two days. It is likely to hold a meeting to decide on helping the colleges hit by the cyclone. The onslaught of Tauktae is a double blow to these colleges since many of them had suffered major damages last year due to cyclone Nisarga.

Dr Surendra Khandekar, a professor from Wada college of Commerce, Arts and Science, in Palghar, said the electricity supply got disrupted in their area on Monday. "It just started getting restored on Tuesday afternoon. But the heavy wind still continues," he said.

Dr Gopal Mulgund, principal at the St. John College of Engineering in Palghar, said they had oral exams scheduled from Monday to Wednesday that have now been pushed to post May 25. He said, "Due to no electricity, everything had to be postponed since everything is now online." Mulgund said a few windshields were blown away or broken at their college, while metal sheets covering the workshops got damaged.

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At Gokhale College in Shrivardhan, Raigad district, the cyclone left its impact. "Metal sheets used as shelter in the physics lab flew away and the rainwater damaged some devices there," said principal Dr S V Joshi. He said the college was badly hit last year due to Nisaraga. "Compared to that this is not as big but having to incur losses for two years in a row is a major trouble," said Joshi.

Mumbai University Senate members have demanded the formation of a committee to review the situation. "After Nisarga, a committee was formed and genuine cases were provided with financial help. A similar procedure should be followed again," shared Pradeep Sawant from Yuva Sena, who is a senior MU Senate member. Apart from the varsity, he has also written to Higher and Technical Education Minister Uday Samant pressing for their demand.

MU Registrar Dr Baliram Gaikwad said, "For now with immediate effect, all colleges from affected areas have been allowed to hold papers or exams scheduled on Monday and Tuesday on later dates, preferably at the end of the exams, as everything is held online and at college levels in cluster modules. About providing colleges with aid, a meeting will be held before taking any decision."