The Estate Management Unit (EMU), which is responsible for the infrastructure and development of the campus, sent an email on the 11th of September requesting everyone to use electricity responsibly. This was followed by multiple power cuts in the days leading up to the mid-semester exams. The English Press Club talked to Dr. Dipendu Bhunia, the EMU faculty-in-charge, about this situation.
Dr. Bhunia stated that many students use classrooms and halls for their activities, but leave the rooms with the fans, lights, and ACs on. The staff maintaining the rooms have reported that this has been a regular malpractice among students. He maintained that the Institute has no problems with students using the rooms, as students are an integral part of BITS and they have every right to use its amenities. However, the flip side is that the students should be responsible about the way they use the facilities. Everyone should make sure that they turn off the appliances in a room, or shut the doors and windows as they leave. This is applicable not only to classrooms, but also to other places such as hostels.
Dr. Bhunia said that his request essentially boils down to civic duty, and that everyone should ensure that they are proactive in caring for their surroundings. He expressed his disappointment about the fact that even after the email was sent, there were many cases of students wasting electricity. The email was not sent due to any specific increase in electricity usage, but because of regular rampant wastage by students.
Currently, the campus relies on hydroelectric and thermal energy from the Rajasthan State Electricity Board (RSEB). Dr. Bhunia indicated that the power cuts before the mid-semester exams were from the RSEB side. The EMU was not given any prior warning or rationale for the power cuts from RSEB—the details were only revealed after the power cuts actually happened.
The long-term plans for the campus to become more sustainable are to use solar energy to power all electrical appliances on campus. This has already been implemented in select places—most hostels have water heaters powered by solar energy. The EMU, by transitioning the campus to solar power, hopes to reduce their dependence on RSEB, and eventually bypass them completely.
With regard to water usage, the EMU plans to conserve water by introducing rainwater harvesting systems. The Institute Canteen and the pre-school currently use harvested water for their taps. To reduce excessive consumption, water meters will be installed to monitor usage. All these measures are a part of Project Parivartan, and will hence be implemented as the rest of the infrastructure is revamped.