Around 300 Delhi Development Authority (DDA) parks have been audited, and night security has been stepped up with additional guards, bike patrols and surprise inspections, days after the Kalkaji gangrape case put the spotlight on safety at public parks.
The measures come after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as policemen at Aastha Kunj, a DDA-maintained park near Kalkaji Mandir, on September 21. All three accused were subsequently arrested, police said.
Senior DDA officers are also carrying out surprise night inspections. Patrolling has been intensified at vulnerable locations in consultation with law enforcement agencies. Security guards have been asked to coordinate with local police beat officers and immediately report suspicious activity. Signboards are advising visitors to use well-lit main routes after sunset and report suspicious activity to park security or police. Delhi Police has been asked to strengthen visible policing at vulnerable locations, while DDA, MCD and PWD have been directed to ensure adequate lighting and security personnel, secure damaged boundaries and eliminate dark spots.
The measures come after a 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men posing as policemen at Aastha Kunj, a DDA-maintained park near Kalkaji Mandir, on September 21.
All three accused were subsequently arrested, police said. Sandhu directed Delhi Police to intensify visible patrolling at vulnerable stretches and asked agencies responsible for parks and roads to improve lighting and security without restricting public access, according to officials present at the meeting. Police have also been told to increase engagement with students, educational institutions, RWAs and market associations, with senior field officers asked to act on safety concerns raised during such interactions.
