Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed officials to fix dark spots, broken footpaths, inadequate lighting and gaps in CCTV coverage at Delhi University’s North Campus after a surprise inspection focused on the safety of women students.
During the Wednesday evening visit outside the Arts Faculty, Gupta spoke with women students about safety, transportation, colleges, hostels and paying guest accommodation. She asked students to report difficulties they faced while travelling at night and told them that genuine concerns would be addressed.
The inspection placed attention on the everyday infrastructure that shapes safety across a large university district. Gupta identified several poorly lit stretches and sought details from officials before directing them to map all dark spots, install additional lights where needed and prune tree branches obstructing illumination.
She also expressed displeasure over broken and uneven footpaths and ordered officials to inspect the entire stretch and repair damaged sections. The Chief Minister said pathways should be accessible to students with disabilities, linking pedestrian maintenance with the wider responsibility of making the campus usable for all students.
CCTV arrangements were reviewed during the visit. Gupta sought details on the number of cameras installed, how many were functional and which areas required additional surveillance. Officials were directed to install cameras wherever necessary and ensure that existing systems remained operational.
The review also covered night-time policing and emergency response. Gupta enquired about the availability of Police Control Room vehicles and the deployment of women police personnel. Students told her that women police personnel were present and PCR vehicles reached the area when required. She directed the police and university administration to strengthen coordination.
The inspection extended beyond lighting and surveillance. Gupta took note of garbage and poorly maintained green areas and ordered immediate cleaning. These issues place routine maintenance alongside security infrastructure as part of the campus’s public-safety environment, particularly for students moving between colleges, hostels, transport points and private accommodation after dark.
Students also raised concerns about paying guest facilities. Gupta said the Delhi Government was preparing a PG policy that would prescribe necessary rules and standards. She added that work was underway to improve hostel facilities and construct new hostels, although the report did not specify timelines, locations or the number of additional beds planned.
The next steps identified during the inspection are the survey and correction of dark spots, repair of damaged footpaths, improvement of lighting, expansion and maintenance of CCTV coverage, better police-administration coordination, cleaning of neglected areas and continued work on hostel and PG accommodation measures.
