After HC rap, NEET centres install coolers, water facilities amid heatwave

Nagpur: Following directions from the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court, several NEET-UG examination centres across the city stepped up arrangements to safeguard students during Sunday's exam.With temperatures soaring, exam authorities moved swiftly to install air coolers, fans, and ensure the availability of drinking water across multiple centres, following concerns over student safety in heatwave conditions. The HC had directed authorities to provide basic facilities for candidates appearing for the exam. Noting the lack of proper ventilation, cooling arrangements, access to potable water, and basic medical support, the bench cautioned that such shortcomings could expose candidates to risks of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and other heat-related ailments.Students who appeared for the exam reported a noticeable improvement in facilities compared to previous years. Samaira Bhattad, who took her exam at Government Polytechnic, Sadar, said the arrangements significantly eased the discomfort caused by the heat. "I've appeared for several govt exams before. This time, the experience was much better. There were coolers, fans, and drinking water available, and the staff even refilled our bottles regularly," she said.At Kamala Nehru College, similar measures were observed. Aarushi Basode noted that the centre had made sufficient arrangements to ensure a comfortable environment. "The presence of coolers, fans, and cold drinking water in classrooms made a big difference," she said.Other centres also implemented proactive measures. At Madhukar Rao Wasnik College, student Mrunal Lande said the administration prioritised health precautions, including distributing water bottles to candidates to prevent dehydration. "The environment inside was well-maintained, and students felt safe despite the heat," Lande added.At the VIT examination centre, Kalash Jikar described the arrangements as comprehensive. "All rooms had functional coolers, and officials ensured that students were not made to stand in direct sunlight during verification," he said.