Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered immediate action on dark stretches, damaged footpaths and gaps in CCTV coverage at Delhi University’s North Campus after inspecting the area and speaking with women students about safety concerns.
During her visit, Gupta interacted with women students outside the Arts Faculty and sought feedback on their experience of travelling at night, transportation, hostels and campus life. The chief minister’s office said she asked students whether they faced difficulties or felt unsafe and assured them that the government would address their genuine concerns.
The inspection identified several locations where roads had lighting but areas within the campus remained inadequately illuminated. Gupta directed officials to map all such dark spots and install additional lights wherever necessary. She also ordered the pruning of tree branches that obstruct illumination, according to officials.
The chief minister expressed displeasure over broken and uneven footpaths at multiple locations and instructed officials to inspect the entire campus area and complete repairs. The directions place pedestrian infrastructure alongside lighting and surveillance as part of the safety response for students moving through the campus.
Gupta also reviewed CCTV arrangements and directed officials to install cameras in uncovered areas so that sensitive locations were not left outside the surveillance network. She sought details about the deployment of PCR vehicles and the availability of women police personnel during night hours, while stressing closer coordination between Delhi Police and the university administration.
The directions extend beyond policing and surveillance to campus maintenance and accommodation. Gupta asked officials to improve cleanliness and public facilities. In response to concerns about hostels and paying guest accommodation, she said the Delhi government was working on a PG policy that would set standards and regulations for the sector. She also said new hostels and improved accommodation facilities were being planned.
The chief minister encouraged women students to undergo self-defence training. The inspection followed direct interactions with students, making the condition of everyday campus infrastructure part of the administration’s stated safety agenda rather than treating safety only as a policing issue.
Officials have been directed to identify dark spots, repair damaged footpaths, expand CCTV coverage and review night-time police deployment. The next steps will depend on the campus-wide inspection and the corrective work ordered by the chief minister.
