Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has ordered officials to address dark spots, broken footpaths, inadequate lighting and gaps in CCTV coverage at Delhi University’s North Campus after a surprise inspection on Wednesday evening, with particular emphasis on the safety of women students.
During the visit outside the Arts Faculty, Gupta spoke with women students about safety, transport, 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.
While walking through the campus, the chief minister identified poorly lit stretches and sought details from officials. She directed authorities to map all dark spots, install additional lights where necessary and prune tree branches that obstruct illumination. The directions place lighting maintenance alongside the availability of lighting infrastructure as an immediate campus safety responsibility.
Gupta also expressed displeasure over broken and uneven footpaths and ordered officials to inspect the entire stretch and repair damaged sections. She said pathways should be accessible to students with disabilities, linking the campus safety review to the condition and usability of its pedestrian infrastructure.
The inspection also covered CCTV arrangements. Gupta sought information on the number of cameras installed and the number currently functional, as well as locations where additional surveillance was required. Officials were directed to install cameras wherever necessary and ensure that existing systems remain operational.
Police response arrangements were also reviewed. The chief minister asked about the availability of PCR vehicles and the deployment of women police personnel at night. Students told her that women police personnel were present and that PCR vehicles reached the area when required. Gupta directed the police and university administration to improve coordination.
The visit identified maintenance issues beyond security infrastructure. Gupta took note of garbage and poorly maintained green areas and ordered immediate cleaning. In a large university campus used by students, staff and visitors, these issues affect movement through public spaces as well as the overall condition of the surroundings.
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 inspection report did not specify timelines, capacity targets or locations for the proposed facilities.
The directions bring several agencies and institutions into the response, including the Delhi Government, police and university administration. Implementation will require coordination across lighting, pedestrian repairs, surveillance, sanitation, campus landscaping and accommodation, while the next steps will include identifying repair and surveillance gaps and acting on the proposed hostel and paying guest accommodation measures.
