Dark stretches outside campuses, complaints of obscene flashing and concerns over unsafe parks were among the safety issues raised by principals of Delhi University’s women’s colleges on Wednesday, following which more police patrols were ordered and plans for a student safety app announced.
The concerns were raised at a meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, attended by representatives of 10 women’s colleges and senior officials from Delhi Police, the Transport Department, MCD and PWD.
No timeline for its launch has been announced. Police have been asked to increase patrolling around colleges, Metro stations and isolated stretches, particularly during morning and evening hours. Each college will get a nodal police officer to coordinate on complaints involving harassment and other safety concerns. More Pink Booths, CCTV coverage and police personnel, including officers in plain clothes, are planned around areas with a high student footfall. A student safety app is also in the works. It is expected to have emergency alerts, GPS-based location sharing and a facility to report safety concerns in real time. The Transport Department has been asked to create designated pick-up and drop-off points for e-rickshaws and autos. Officials will also examine evening shuttle services, U-Special buses and Metro feeder buses to improve travel between colleges and nearby Metro stations. Colleges in North and South Campus will now have a common women’s safety committee to take recurring problems directly to police, transport and civic agencies.
The concerns were raised at a meeting with Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, attended by representatives of 10 women’s colleges and senior officials from Delhi Police, the Transport Department, MCD and PWD.
