The Delhi Development Authority (DDA), along with Delhi Police, has stepped up safety measures and monitoring in its parks following directions from Lt Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu after the alleged gangrape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in the Kalkaji area on September 21. The DDA identified more than 30 spots where CCTV cameras need to be installed at Aastha Kunj Park.

The measures come after L-G Sandhu directed a comprehensive safety audit of all parks in Delhi, with a focus on lighting, security, cleanliness and patrolling, following the alleged gangrape at Aastha Kunj Park. The Delhi Police was also directed to strengthen beat patrolling around parks, including deployment of women personnel.

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The authorities have found that existing CCTV cameras were not working in the park, HT reported. Massive outrage over the gangrape prompted the authorities to launch a wider security assessment of DDA parks in the national capital. They marked the vulnerable spots in the park after review.

736 DDA Parks Fall In High-Risk Category

The DDA also carried out a city-wide audit in which it was found that 190 of its 736 parks as “high-risk”. Currently, only 16 DDA parks have CCTV cameras. 323 DDA parks require additional camera surveillance. As many as 520 parks had issues related to lighting.

MCD Steps Up Safety Measures

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also initiated safety measures, saying it is strengthening fencing and boundary walls, improving lighting and access control, and carrying out regular pruning of trees and plants to prevent creation of dark or blind spots in parks.

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According to an official statement issued by the MCD, field officers have been directed to identify and rectify safety hazards such as broken benches, damaged play and open-gym equipment, exposed wires and sharp parts.

"Trees and plants are being pruned regularly so that no blind or dark spots are created," the civic body said, adding that non-functional lights, damaged boundary walls, fencing and gates would have to be reported to the concerned departments for prompt repairs.

(With PTI inputs)