IIT Bombay to be a quarantine facility; students oppose

Amid the increasing cases of the coronavirus or COVID-19 across Maharashtra and lack of quarantine facility, the collector has taken over several buildings in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay campus. 

These buildings have been designated as quarantine facility by executive orders for all people coming to Mumbai from various international destinations. Flyers under category C (those without symptoms) will be placed under quarantine facility here. 

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started categorising the people flying in Mumbai from international destinations in order to keep track of the positive coronavirus cases or people who are at risk of developing symptoms of COVID-19. 

However, the decision to turn several buildings in IIT Bombay campus as designated quarantine facility has faced strong objections from the students and faculty members of the institution. 

The IIT Bombay administration and the students have opposed the decision claiming that it will risk the students and faculty members who reside on the campus. Over 15,000 students live in the IIT Bombay campus. 

Reacting to this, the collector’s office has given verbal assurance that the quarantine area will be properly secured with the help of the police.

In an email, IIT Bombay Director Subhasis Chaudhary informed students about the decision. The director also stated that the campus has many students, staff, faculty members, their families and a casual workforce. 

“By executive order, the collector has taken over several buildings on the campus as a designated quarantine for all flyers (belonging to Category C) coming into the city from various international destinations. The designated buildings are Vanvihar Guest House, H-18, the well-maintained part of H-8 (B-wing), and the MTNL guest rooms,” the Free Press Journal quoted the email to students by IIT Bombay Director. 

Maharashtra has become the worst-hit state with 52 cases of the coronavirus or COVID-19 and one casualty. The Maharashtra government said that it was constantly taking measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus. 

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