Bhubaneswar, Sept. 23: Utkal University authorities plan to install closed-circuit television cameras and biometric entry system at all the hostels to restrict the unauthorised entry of visitors.

For this purpose, the varsity’s website committee is now preparing a database of students enrolled in various post-graduation courses.

“It was observed that some hostel boarders allowed outsiders to stay in their hostel rooms in lieu of monthly rent. As a result, a large number of students were being deprived of hostel seats. There have also been several objections to outsiders using facilities meant for students of this university. We hope that the closed-circuit television cameras and biometric system will enable us to keep an eye on unlawful activities,” said post-graduate council chairman P.K. Mishra.

He said the varsity had six hostels each for boys and girls and the plan to install the security gadgets was part of an ongoing drive to evict illegal occupants from the campus in the wake of a recent clash involving non-students.

Sources said the constraint of funds could, however, delayed the project.

“The state government gives us funds only to pay salaries and pension to the staff members for which development work has suffered. The University Grants Commission, on the other hand, grants funds as per the whims of the expert committee members. So, we will have to meet the expenses for this initiative out of the fees paid by students,” said a top administrative officer of the university. He added that the admission fee at Utkal for boys was around Rs 1,500 while girls paid almost half the amount.

University officials said they would also make it compulsory for students to produce their identity cards at the entrance gate, library and all the hostels.