The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, 12 October 2026 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday interacted with female student representatives from various colleges across Delhi at the Mukhyamantri Jan Seva Sadan. During the meeting, students raised concerns related to women’s safety, street lighting, public transport, CCTV surveillance and grievance redressal at their respective colleges and in surrounding areas. The Chief Minister listened to their concerns and assured them that necessary action would be taken on their suggestions on a priority basis.
The Chief Minister said the suggestions shared by the students would be taken up with the concerned officials. Necessary coordination and follow-up would be ensured to address the issues. The WhatsApp group created to facilitate communication and coordination between students and officials would remain active, enabling students to share their concerns directly and ensuring timely action. If a complaint is not addressed at the appropriate level, students can also approach senior police officers and officials of the concerned departments. She emphasised that effective grievance redressal and ensuring students’ safety remain priorities for the government.
Detailed discussion on women’s safety and issues in areas surrounding colleges
Student representatives from Lady Shri Ram College, Gargi College, Daulat Ram College, Jesus and Mary College, Maitreyi College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Bharati College, Janki Devi Memorial College and other institutions raised several concerns related to women’s safety. They called for adequate street lighting around colleges, safety audits to identify dark spots and vulnerable locations, better access to pink booths, deployment of women police personnel, increased regular police patrolling and wider publicity for women’s safety helpline numbers.
The students also suggested strengthening security in areas with a large student population, including Siri Fort Road, Kamala Nehru College, Gargi College, Mukherjee Nagar and Batra Cinema, and curbing inappropriate activities in public places. They stressed the need for better coordination among the concerned departments to ensure safe movement around metro stations, on roads near colleges and across bridges. They also highlighted the need for adequate DTC bus services for off-campus colleges and institutions in remote areas, buses stopping at designated bus stops, improved traffic management and effective monitoring in areas with a concentration of paying guest (PG) accommodations.
Other concerns included timely resolution of complaints, effective action on complaints received at pink booths, regular checking of complaint boxes and better coordination between college administrations and the police. Pending complaints related to building safety in certain areas and other local safety concerns were also raised. The Chief Minister took note of all the suggestions and assured the students that necessary steps would be taken to address their concerns and ensure a safe, convenient and supportive academic environment.
Emphasis on safe campuses and an accountable system
Informing students about the emergency helpline number 112, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said they could use it to seek assistance from the police and relevant emergency services in any emergency. She said work was underway to install around one lakh smart streetlights across Delhi, which would be connected to the Integrated Command and Control Centre. An Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) mechanism would be put in place to ensure proper upkeep of the lights. If a light stops working, the concerned agency would be required to repair it within the stipulated timeframe.
The Chief Minister clarified that wherever streetlights are needed around colleges, the necessary steps would be taken in coordination with the concerned agencies and college administrations. She also assured students that arrangements for approaching the relevant officials, police personnel and senior officers to resolve complaints would be made more effective. During the meeting, students suggested setting up safety committees in every college comprising the principal, student representatives and local police officers. They also called for regular safety audits and monitoring of streetlights, CCTV cameras, pink booths and hostel facilities.
Other issues raised included internet connectivity on college campuses, safe and convenient access to hostels for women students, connectivity through DTC and University Special buses, better organisation of e-rickshaw operations and timely resolution of complaints. The students also emphasised that their activities should not be unnecessarily restricted in the name of safety. Instead, the focus should be on creating a safe environment where they can participate freely in education, student politics and other activities.
Delhi Govt committed to the safety, dignity and self-reliance of women
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said dialogue is an important foundation of a responsive and accountable system of governance. When students get a direct opportunity to share their concerns and suggestions, the government is better placed to understand the realities on the ground. The issues raised by the students go beyond individual colleges and relate to broader concerns, including a safe academic environment, safe and convenient travel, and effective grievance redressal.
She said the Delhi Government is committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and self-reliance of women. Necessary steps would be taken in coordination with the concerned departments to address the suggestions related to student safety. Issues concerning street lighting around colleges, public transport, police presence and grievance redressal would also receive serious attention.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said Delhi’s daughters should have an environment where they can pursue education without fear, realise their aspirations and contribute to society’s development to their full potential. She expressed confidence that the active participation and suggestions of students would play an important role in improving women’s safety and facilities at colleges across Delhi. The Delhi Government is committed to ensuring that every daughter has a safe environment, opportunities with dignity and the right to progress in accordance with her potential.
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