The OU administration has decided to collect Rs 200 for walking or jogging on University campus

Walking or jogging on the lush green campus of Osmania University is good for health, and from December 1, will be good for the university’s coffers too. The university administration has decided to collect Rs 200 per month as user charges from people who intend to use the campus for walking or jogging.

For several hundreds of people from the adjoining areas of the university including Tarnaka, DD Colony, Vidya Nagar, Manikeshwar Nagar, Adikmet, Habsiguda and Amberpet, the campus has been a favourite spot for fitness activities such as walking, running, jogging and yoga.

According to a retired university professor, the university had plans earlier too, to levy monthly charges on walkers. However, the administration had to keep the plans on hold following stiff opposition from different sections. Interestingly, things appear to have changed now. OU Vice-Chancellor Prof R Ravinder told ‘Telangana Today‘ on Saturday that walkers themselves had now suggested user charges in lieu of better facilities for them on the campus.

“Several walkers have



said they are ready to pay even Rs 500 per month for using the campus. But we have decided to charge only Rs 200 per month. We will be providing walking tracks, bio-toilets and drinking water facilities for the walkers on the campus,” Prof Ravinder said.

The varsity has also decided to make available its gymnasium and playgrounds for outsiders on payment of charges. The gymnasium will be available in two slots of one and a half hours each from 6 am to 9 am, and 5 pm to 8 pm for which the university will charge Rs 1,000 per person. The playground usage will be permitted from 6 am to 8 am, and 4 pm to 6 pm. People can also use the basketball court, football ground and athletics camps by paying a monthly charge of Rs 500 for each facility.

Users, on payment of the charges, will be provided passes which will allow them to access the facilities. Only bonafide students of university colleges with ID cards, university staff and pass holders will be allowed to use OU playgrounds, gymnasium and campus with effect from December 1. Further details are available on www.osmania.ac.in.