North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has enforced a new set of strict traffic safety rules inside its Shillong campus following a recent accident that left two first-semester students injured and triggered widespread concern among students, parents, and faculty.
The university administration issued the order on November 24, announcing a maximum speed limit of 30 kmph for all vehicles and making helmet use compulsory for riders of two-wheelers and even cyclists. The move comes barely a week after a drunk security guard drove an old university vehicle into two students near the main campus gate. The incident, which was caught on CCTV, quickly sparked outrage over lax traffic monitoring and inadequate enforcement of safety measures within the university.
Authorities said the fresh rules reflect a “zero-tolerance approach” to reckless driving and unsafe behaviour on campus. University officials also warned that repeated violations of the new guidelines will invite disciplinary action, which may include fines, suspension of vehicle entry privileges, or stricter administrative measures.
To ensure better compliance, NEHU installed signboards across the campus on Monday displaying the newly imposed speed limit and the mandatory helmet directive. Officials said campus security personnel have been instructed to monitor movement more closely, especially during peak hours when students and staff commute in large numbers.
The two injured students, who were taken to a Shillong hospital immediately after the accident, are now out of danger but continue to receive medical treatment. Their condition has further strengthened calls from the student community for improved safety infrastructure, including speed breakers, designated pedestrian zones, and stricter vetting of drivers operating university vehicles.