According to a recent audit by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), only 16 out of 736 parks, representing a mere 2%, are equipped with CCTV surveillance. This assessment was initiated following the tragic gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl in one of these parks last month.
Commissioned by Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the audit revealed that approximately one-fourth, or 190 parks, have been classified as ‘high risk’ by the DDA. A DDA representative indicated that this designation pertains to parks with various safety concerns, including issues related to nighttime accessibility, local disturbances, encroachments, high crime rates, dense forested areas, and drug-related activities.
The report highlighted several parks categorized as ‘high risk,’ including Aastha Kunj, the site of the aforementioned gang-rape incident on September 21. Other parks identified in this group include the green area at Hastsal, District Park Hauz Khas, the green space at Maa Anandmayi Marg, Sanjay Lake, Jahanpanah City Forest, Ridge and forest areas, as well as biodiversity parks along the Yamuna floodplains.
An article by the Indian Express pointed out the severe lack of lighting and operational CCTV cameras in the expansive 142-acre Aastha Kunj Park. This issue of inadequate lighting was also noted in other parks, such as District Park Hauz Khas and Bonta Park near the Northern Ridge, which remain poorly lit even during nighttime.
The DDA has committed to addressing the needs of these high-risk parks promptly. Additionally, the audit identified 258 parks as ‘medium risk’ and 288 as ‘low risk.’
From the internal audit, it was discovered that only 16 parks have functioning CCTV cameras. In response, the DDA has pinpointed another 323 parks for future CCTV installations. Furthermore, the audit recognized 520 parks that require enhanced lighting, with 231 of those being prioritized for immediate improvements. The authority also found 163 parks with security gate issues, where gates that cannot be locked need to be upgraded to include locking mechanisms.
Boundary vulnerabilities were noted in 399 parks, and repairs for missing grills have been initiated in 233 of them. In terms of security enhancements, the DDA is conducting night patrols in 245 significant parks across the Capital.
The DDA has implemented bike patrols in larger parks for quicker coverage, including sirens where deemed necessary to ensure a rapid response to incidents. The authority is currently developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to regulate patrols, assess guard performance, ensure supervisor accountability, manage attendance, and coordinate with police forces.
Moreover, biometric attendance systems for security personnel have been activated in 602 parks, with plans for expansion to all DDA parks. Ongoing discussions led by senior officials with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) aim to pinpoint specific safety issues within each park.
