New Delhi: Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has planned to take time-bound measures to improve safety, cleanliness and accessibility around women’s colleges in Delhi University.Officials have been asked to address issues ranging from dark spots and unsafe footpaths to poorly located urinals and garbage collection points. The move comes after the recent rape in Aastha Kunj Park.The directions were issued by additional commissioner, MCD, after a meeting chaired by lieutenant governor TS Sandhu on Sept 30, wherein principals from various women’s colleges were also present.As part of the measures, MCD will examine the location of urinals around women’s colleges and identify alternative sites wherever their relocation is considered necessary.The civic body has also decided to examine the feasibility of developing and improving the park and jungle areas near Mata Sundari College through an MoU or public-private partnership model.“Tree pruning has also been prioritised, particularly around college entry and exit points, pathways, roads and other vulnerable locations,” the civic body said in a correspondence with zonal deputy commissioners.An inspection of trees and their pruning will be done around all women’s colleges to improve visibility. Street lighting will be improved around the colleges.“MCD’s engineering and electrical wings have been asked to inspect roads and surrounding areas, rectify faulty streetlights and identify dark spots. All identified dark spots have to be illuminated within a month,” an official said.The central zone has been directed to check the dhalaos near Gargi College and Lady Shri Ram College and take necessary action for their removal or relocation.Ensuring safe and obstruction-free pedestrian movement is another key focus, said officials. “Footpaths, pedestrian pathways and approaches around the colleges will be inspected and made accessible. Zonal deputy commissioners have been directed to conduct special enforcement drives against unauthorised vendors and tehbazari, vehicles parked on footpaths and encroachments,” stated the letter.Zonal DCs have been asked to submit college-wise action-taken reports within 10 days, detailing the issues identified, the action taken, dates of compliance and pending matters.“Before-and-after photographs will also have to be submitted wherever applicable. The deputy commissioners will be responsible for ensuring that deficiencies are addressed expeditiously,” an official said.
