New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta made a surprise visit to Delhi University’s North Campus late Wednesday evening to hear women students’ concerns about safety, transport, hostels and college facilities. During the inspection, she directed officials to improve street lighting, check CCTV cameras, repair damaged footpaths and strengthen security arrangements across the campus.
The visit focused on identifying areas where students may face difficulties, particularly while travelling after dark. Gupta interacted with students outside the Arts Faculty and asked whether they felt unsafe at night or faced problems related to their colleges and accommodation.
She assured them that the government would work to address the issues raised. Senior officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and Delhi Police accompanied her during the inspection.
Delhi CM Orders Better Lighting Across DU North Campus
During the visit, Gupta identified dark spots and instructed officials to improve lighting in poorly illuminated areas. She asked them to identify locations requiring additional streetlights and trim tree branches blocking existing lights.
Better lighting can help students move around the campus more confidently after evening classes, library visits and other academic activities. The direction also aims to improve visibility along routes frequently used by students.
The Chief Minister also flagged broken and uneven footpaths. She directed officials to inspect the affected stretches and carry out repairs, keeping accessibility requirements in mind, particularly for students with disabilities.
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CCTV Cameras and Campus Security Under Review
Gupta reviewed CCTV surveillance arrangements and sought details about the number of cameras installed, their working condition and locations requiring additional coverage.
She instructed officials to ensure that existing cameras function properly and install additional cameras wherever necessary. The review covered important campus areas, including the Arts, Law and Science faculties, parking zones and other sensitive locations.
The Chief Minister also asked students about the availability of police response vehicles and women police personnel at night. According to reports of the interaction, students said women police personnel were present and response vehicles arrived promptly when required.
Gupta called for stronger coordination between Delhi Police and the university administration to address security gaps. She also directed officials to revisit the identified locations and take action on the concerns raised during the inspection.
Cleanliness and Green Spaces Also Flagged
The inspection covered more than lighting and surveillance. Gupta raised concerns about garbage and poorly maintained green spaces and asked officials to ensure regular cleaning and better upkeep of the campus.
Maintaining clean pathways, parking areas and public spaces can improve the everyday experience of students who spend long hours at the university. Regular inspections and timely repairs can also help prevent minor maintenance problems from becoming larger safety concerns.
The directions call for coordinated action by civic agencies, university authorities and the police, as campus facilities often fall under the responsibility of different departments.
Delhi Government Working on PG Policy and Hostel Facilities
Accommodation was another major concern during Gupta’s interaction with women students. She discussed issues related to paying guest (PG) accommodation and hostel facilities.
The Chief Minister said the Delhi Government was preparing a PG policy to introduce rules and standards for the sector. Such a policy could help establish clearer expectations for accommodation providers and improve conditions for students living away from their homes.
She also said the government was working towards building new hostels and improving existing facilities to provide students with safer and better accommodation.
Affordable and secure housing remains important for students who move to Delhi for higher education. Better hostel facilities and clearer standards for PG accommodation could help students and their families make more informed housing decisions.
Women Students Encouraged to Learn Self-Defence
Gupta encouraged women students to undergo self-defence training as an additional measure to strengthen their personal safety.
At the same time, the inspection placed responsibility on public authorities to improve campus infrastructure and security. Functional CCTV cameras, adequate lighting, accessible footpaths and timely police response can help create a safer environment for students.
The Chief Minister directed officials to address the issues identified during the visit without delay. She also said that the action taken on her instructions would be reviewed later, signalling the need for follow-up rather than a one-time inspection.
Follow-Up Action Will Be Key
Gupta continued her informal interaction with students over tea after the inspection and encouraged them to raise concerns related to colleges, hostels, transport and safety with the government.
The visit brought several practical issues into focus, from dark pathways and damaged footpaths to accommodation standards and coordination between security agencies. However, the impact will depend on how quickly officials implement the directions and whether the improvements reach the areas students use most frequently.
For Delhi University students, particularly women travelling after dark, improvements in campus lighting, surveillance, accessibility and accommodation could make daily academic life safer and more convenient. Regular monitoring and coordination among the concerned agencies will be essential to turn the inspection’s directions into lasting improvements.
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