New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta conducted a surprise inspection of Delhi University’s North Campus late on Wednesday evening, directing officials to improve lighting, repair damaged footpaths, strengthen security arrangements and ensure cleanliness across the campus.
During her visit, Gupta interacted with women students outside the Arts Faculty and sought feedback on issues related to safety, transportation, hostel accommodation and college facilities.
According to an official statement, the Chief Minister asked students whether they faced difficulties or felt unsafe while travelling at night and assured them that the government would take necessary steps to address their concerns.
During the inspection, Gupta identified several poorly lit areas on the campus and sought explanations from officials. She observed that while the main roads had adequate lighting, several internal stretches remained dark despite being frequently used by students.
She directed officials to identify such locations, install additional lights and prune overgrown tree branches obstructing illumination.
Expressing dissatisfaction over broken and uneven footpaths, Gupta instructed officials to inspect pedestrian pathways across the campus and carry out immediate repairs. She emphasised that the infrastructure should be accessible and convenient for all students, particularly those with disabilities.
The Chief Minister also reviewed CCTV surveillance arrangements, seeking details of the number of cameras installed, their operational status and areas requiring additional coverage.
She directed officials to install cameras at vulnerable locations and ensure that existing surveillance systems were functioning properly, stressing that no sensitive area should remain outside CCTV coverage.
Gupta also sought feedback from students on police patrolling and the deployment of women police personnel at night.
Students informed her that women police personnel were deployed during nighttime hours and that Police Control Room (PCR) vehicles responded promptly whenever assistance was required.
The Chief Minister called for closer coordination between Delhi Police and the university administration to further strengthen security arrangements.
During the inspection, Gupta also expressed concern over garbage accumulation and poorly maintained green belts at several locations. She directed civic officials to undertake immediate cleaning and improve maintenance.
She said that with thousands of students visiting the university daily, maintaining cleanliness, adequate lighting, safe pedestrian pathways and essential public facilities was a priority.
The Chief Minister also discussed accommodation-related concerns with students, particularly the condition and facilities available in paying guest (PG) accommodations.
Responding to their concerns, Gupta said the Delhi government was preparing a PG policy to establish necessary regulations and standards for such facilities.
She added that the government was also working towards constructing new hostels and improving existing hostel infrastructure to provide students with safer and better accommodation options.
Gupta directed officials to conduct another inspection of the Arts Faculty, Law Faculty, Science Faculty, parking areas and other sensitive locations to identify and address gaps in lighting and security.
Emphasising that there could be no compromise on the safety of women students, she instructed officials to resolve all issues identified during the visit without delay.
She also said that compliance with the directions issued during the inspection would be reviewed subsequently.
The Chief Minister encouraged women students to undergo self-defence training, highlighting its importance for personal safety.
At the conclusion of the inspection, Gupta continued interacting informally with students over tea, discussing their everyday concerns related to colleges, hostels, transportation and security.
She assured them that they could bring such issues to the government’s attention and that necessary action would be taken to address them.
Senior officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Police accompanied the Chief Minister during the inspection.
[DD News]