Govt. college students stage road blockade near Sholinghur demanding better amenities, frequent bus services

Government Arts and Science College students near Sholinghur staged a road blockade on Thursday, voicing demands for improved campus amenities and more frequent bus services. The college serves a significant number of students from around 15 villages in the region, spanning 30 kilometers between Sholinghur and Arakkonam. Many buses do not stop near the campus, forcing students to walk up to 500 meters to reach their classes, often missing the beginning of their first hour of instruction.

Currently, government buses running between the two towns make infrequent stops and are often overcrowded during peak hours, leading to long waits for students, particularly women, who sometimes have to wait an hour for the next bus. Additionally, the stretch is plagued by reckless driving, particularly by motorcyclists, which has resulted in several accidents, including fatalities.

To address this, students suggested implementing speed breakers with zebra crossings and reflectors. The students also highlighted the lack of basic facilities on campus, such as drinking water, clean toilets, a canteen, and a playground, alongside the absence of a protective compound wall. When they blocked the road, local police and revenue officials arrived to resolve the situation, dispersing the protestors peacefully after promising to inform District Collector Priya Ravichandran about their demands.