Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Monday directed government agencies and the Delhi Police to step up ground-level measures to improve the safety and security of women across the national capital, with a focus on visible patrolling, safer public spaces and stronger community engagement.
Sandhu chaired a high-level review meeting attended by senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Delhi Police leadership, MCD Commissioner, NDMC Chairperson, Principal Secretary (Education), DDA Vice-Chairman and Delhi University Vice-Chancellor.
The LG directed Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), Additional DCPs, Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) and Station House Officers (SHOs) to directly engage with students, school and college
authorities, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and market traders’ associations.
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Officials were asked to ensure that concerns raised during these interactions are addressed promptly.
This cameafter a 17-year-old was allegedly raped inside a park near Kalkaji Temple by three men.
More Patrolling At Vulnerable Locations
The Delhi Police has been directed to intensify foot and vehicular patrolling, particularly in vulnerable and high-footfall areas, as part of efforts to create a visible deterrent against crime.
The directions also include strengthening safety arrangements in public parks. The DDA, MCD and NDMC have been asked to repair broken boundary walls, improve lighting and deploy security personnel at major parks.
Agency heads have also been directed to personally inspect major parks in their jurisdictions. The LG stressed that public parks should not be shut to citizens in the name of security.
The directions come amid a wider focus on park safety in the capital. The LG recently ordered a comprehensive safety audit of Delhi’s parks, including checks on lighting, security and patrolling.
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PWD, MCD, NDMC Told To Eliminate Dark Spots
The Public Works Department (PWD), MCD and NDMC have been instructed to ensure the elimination of dark spots by improving street lighting across road networks.
The Transport Department and Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) have also been asked to strengthen safety measures on public buses, ensure that vehicle safety features are properly maintained and improve lighting at bus stops.
The LG warned that any dereliction of duty by officials would invite disciplinary action.
95 Women Personnel Deployed In 15 SPUWAC Teams
As part of the wider push for visible policing, the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) has deployed 95 women police personnel in 15 specialised teams across Delhi.
These teams have been assigned dedicated foot and scooty patrol duties.
Foot patrol teams are operating in public parks, identified dark spots and other vulnerable locations, while scooty patrol teams are covering high-footfall areas such as markets, educational institutions, transport hubs and residential neighbourhoods.
The patrols are aimed at preventing harassment, eve-teasing and suspicious activities while increasing police visibility in areas frequently used by women and children.
The women personnel are also interacting with local residents and women during patrols, informing them about available police assistance and encouraging people to report safety concerns promptly.
Focus On Community Policing
The latest measures add to the Delhi administration’s recent emphasis on visible, women-centric policing. Sandhu has previously directed Delhi Police to develop a dedicated women-centric patrol unit modelled on Goa Police’s “Pink Force” for deployment around schools, colleges, Metro stations and other vulnerable hotspots.
The latest review places particular emphasis on coordination between police officers, civic agencies, educational institutions and local communities, with the stated objective of improving women’s confidence in public spaces and ensuring quicker responses to safety concerns.
