Puttur: The Mangalore University's graduate examinations will start from September 16. However, students from Kerala near the Karnataka-Kerala border are in anxiety as KSRTC has not started regular bus services between the two States.
More than 150 students are studying in government and private colleges affiliated to the University.
In the twin districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada students are travelling using bus passes in government and private buses. After the lockdown, however, travel restrictions between the Kerala and Karnataka are still unresolved causing the problems to students from Kasargod district in Kerala.
The Mangalore University examinations for final graduate students will begin on the morning of September 16. Due to COVID-19 precautions, students have been advised to arrive at the exam centres before 9 am. But as Kerala government's has still banned bus travel from the State to Karnataka, students are now faced with the question of how to reach their examination centres in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to sources, the Government of Kerala might allow bus travel from September 21. However, until September 21 it has not made any alternative arrangements for students and other such special cases.
The principal of a college at Sullia has stated that those students who are COVID-19 positive have been informed by the authorities that a special examination will be arranged for them later. However, there was no notification for those students who are from the bordering areas about whether they will be allowed to appear in a special examination if they cannot appear for their examination.
The Divisional Superintendent at Puttur KSRTC Division has stated that as we do not have permission from the Kerala government to cross the State border we can bring the students till the border. From there, students can cross the border and travel by another bus.
Poojashree, a final graduate student and resident of Delampadi in Kerala, has stated that earlier she would travel to her college in Puttur by a bus that left at 7 am. As there is no travel alternative now she says she is afraid how she will reach the college on the exam day.
