The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) will seek a detailed report from MVSR Engineering College after a fatal accident during a Dandiya event, as student protests intensified demands for accountability and stronger safety measures on campuses.
TGCHE chairman Balakista Reddy said the council would issue a notice to the college and examine its report before deciding on further action. The move follows protests by students on Sunday after the accident, which has raised concerns about the safety of temporary structures, crowd management and emergency preparedness during college events.
Reddy described the incident as deeply distressing and said it had prompted the council to consider framing specific safety protocols for events held at educational institutions. The proposed framework could cover temporary structures, fire safety, emergency exits, emergency medical facilities and arrangements for large gatherings, he said.
“While police already have procedures for permissions, crowd management and emergency access at public events, educational institutions require a more specific framework given their responsibility for student safety,” Reddy told Deccan Chronicle.
The proposed guidelines have not yet been finalised, and TGCHE has not announced a timeline for their implementation. Reddy said the council would consider action against the college after reviewing the report submitted in response to the notice.
The council is also examining whether colleges should have stronger medical preparedness throughout the year. Reddy said medical arrangements had previously been considered mainly during examinations and summer, but TGCHE was now considering whether such requirements should be extended year-round and incorporated into the registration process for institutions.
The proposed measures could include appointing medical officers or strengthening first-aid facilities at colleges. The council has not confirmed whether these provisions will become mandatory or how compliance would be monitored.
Students said the accident had left the campus community shocked and anxious about the safety of event setups. One student, who attended a hackathon earlier in the day and left before the collapse, said students were fearful after learning what had happened. The student also said the college management had not sent official communication to student or parent WhatsApp groups about the incident or planned safety measures.
The student added that management may have contacted victims and their families privately, but said students did not know the details. Another student said uncertainty remained over whether classes and campus activities would continue as usual after the Dasara vacation.
Students have called for mandatory safety audits before stages, lighting equipment and other temporary structures are installed. They have also demanded that colleges avoid heavy structures wherever possible and keep ambulances and paramedics on standby during campus events.
TGCHE’s proposed response places responsibility for event safety alongside the existing permissions and crowd-management procedures used for public gatherings. The council will first review MVSR Engineering College’s report before determining further action and deciding whether wider safety requirements should be introduced across colleges in Telangana.
