Delhi Lieutenant Governor TS Sandhu has directed the DDA, MCD and PWD to personally inspect major parks, identify security gaps and improve lighting, boundary protection and security arrangements after a recent incident at Astha Kunj Park. He also asked Delhi Police to increase patrolling and visible policing at vulnerable locations.
The directions were issued on Monday at a high-level review meeting on women’s safety attended by senior officials from Delhi government departments and civic agencies. The review brought together the chief secretary, MCD commissioner, NDMC chairperson, principal secretary for education, DDA vice-chairman and Delhi University vice-chancellor, among other officials.
According to officials, Sandhu asked the heads of civic agencies to visit major parks under their jurisdiction rather than rely only on departmental assessments. The agencies have been instructed to check whether security arrangements are adequate, improve lighting, deploy security personnel, secure park boundaries and identify and remove dark spots.
The review followed the recent incident at Astha Kunj Park and has prompted authorities to reassess safety measures in parks and other public spaces across the capital. The directions place responsibility for the condition of parks on the agencies that manage them, including the DDA, MCD and PWD.
Delhi Police has also been directed to intensify patrolling and visible policing at locations considered vulnerable. Senior police officers were asked to engage with students, educational institutions, resident welfare associations and market traders’ associations to identify safety concerns and ensure timely action.
The lieutenant governor directed that these interactions should be conducted at least at the level of deputy commissioners of police, additional deputy commissioners of police, assistant commissioners of police and station house officers. Officials said prompt measures should follow the concerns raised during these engagements.
Public transport was also included in the review. Sandhu instructed the transport department and the Delhi Transport Corporation to strengthen security in buses and ensure adequate lighting at bus stops. The directions extend the safety review beyond parks to the public transport infrastructure used by residents, including women travelling through the city.
The civic agencies, police, transport department and DTC are now expected to carry out the inspections, strengthen the identified security measures and continue engagement with local institutions and community groups as part of the review process.
