Safety Audit of 736 DDA Parks in Delhi Flags 190 as High Risk for Women A security audit conducted across 736 Delhi Development Authority parks found 190 locations critically vulnerable, prompting extensive lighting upgrades, boundary repairs, and new CCTV installations. A sweeping safety inspection of public recreational spaces across the national capital has revealed severe security deficiencies. The initiative gained momentum following the horrific gang rape at Astha Kunj Park in Kalkaji, which raised urgent alarms about public premises. Acting on explicit instructions from Lieutenant Governor Delhi Government Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) carried out a comprehensive safety audit covering 736 parks across the metropolis. The findings indicate that 190 public parks pose significant safety hazards, leaving women highly vulnerable due to the near-total absence of closed-circuit surveillance, police presence, and emergency response mechanisms. Three Tier Risk Stratification Across Public Greens Following the audit assessment, authorities classified all 736 green spaces into three specific risk categories based on physical infrastructure, surrounding geography, and vulnerability. A total of 190 parks have been placed under the high-risk designation, where women visitors face severe vulnerability and lack of basic protection. Furthermore, 258 parks have been identified as medium risk, while 288 parks fall into the low-risk category. Official intervention has begun on an urgent priority footing across the 190 high-risk premises, targeting structural repairs and active monitoring before addressing medium and low vulnerability zones. Extensive Lighting Overhaul in 520 Dark Zones Dimly lit walking tracks and dense greenery often provide cover for criminal misconduct. To resolve this, the audit identified 520 parks that urgently require additional lighting fixtures. Work is being carried out immediately across 231 of these parks on an emergency timeline. Based on the findings compiled during the inspection round, illumination repair and installation works have already been fully completed in 106 parks. The primary objective of this exercise is to eliminate all blind spots, dark footpaths, and unlit tree canopies during evening and night hours. Securing Boundary Grills and Gated Access Unrestricted access points are receiving focused administrative attention. Exactly 163 parks have been identified for perimeter entry upgrades, where existing unbolted gates are being systematically replaced with secure locking gates to prevent unauthorised after-hours trespass. In terms of peripheral boundaries, inspections uncovered broken fencing and absent railings across 399 parks. Repair squads have already finished boundary restoration and iron grill replacement across 233 of these facilities. In addition, isolated clearings around public toilets and abandoned masonry structures are being cleared and brought under enhanced vigilance. Electronic Surveillance Expansion and Night Patrols Technological surveillance remains sparse across the city's green lung spaces. At present, only 16 DDA parks are equipped with functional CCTV setups. In response to this gap, the audit established an urgent requirement to install surveillance networks in 323 additional parks. Visible deterrence on the ground has also been bolstered, with night patrolling initiated across 245 large parks. The security review concluded that armed gunmen are required at 134 vulnerable parks, while two-wheeler mobile patrol teams on motorbikes have officially commenced rounds in all high-risk zones. To streamline these measures, an inter-agency security consultation took place at the Principal Commissioner's office on September 28. Biometric Verification and Direct Police Integration To eliminate guard absenteeism and ensure strict on-ground presence, biometric attendance systems have been deployed across 602 parks, with remaining facilities scheduled for imminent onboarding. Ground communication with law enforcement has also been fully restructured. In all designated facilities, local police precinct details and beat officer contacts have been directly issued to park attendants, while attendant rosters have been handed over to police desks. This reciprocal contact exchange has hit 100 percent completion across the entire network. Institutional Standard Operating Procedures and High Level Reviews Administrative bodies are currently formalising an updated standard operating procedure covering guards' responsibilities, supervisory oversight, punctuality logging, prompt incident escalation, and joint coordination with local police stations. Tendering conditions for contracting private security agencies are being thoroughly revised, alongside structured community consultations with local Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to address neighbourhood-specific issues. Digital governance tools, including a central master tracker and an active monitoring dashboard, have been launched for real-time tracking. Senior bureaucrats have begun weekly field inspections; the Principal Commissioner surveyed the Yamuna Biodiversity Park on September 30, followed by an on-site evaluation of the Kamla Nehru Ridge Park on October 1 by the Principal Commissioner Horticulture/Landscape/System. What this means for you This safety overhaul will directly improve the physical security environment for everyday park visitors, particularly women and families in Delhi. • Across India: The initiative sets a critical benchmark for municipal corporations nationwide regarding public safety audits in civic recreation spaces. Other metropolitan urban bodies will face greater accountability to illuminate urban parks and reinforce surveillance frameworks. • In Delhi: Morning joggers, evening walkers, and families across the city will experience better-lit walkways, locked perimeter access, and active night patrols across 190 high-risk zones. Dangerous unmonitored blind spots and gaps created by missing boundary railings are being systematically sealed. • For Women and Children: Visitors will gain heightened security through proposed surveillance expansions across 323 parks alongside armed guards at 134 major sites. With emergency contact protocols fully established between park personnel and beat officers, immediate response during distress will be substantially faster. • For Resident Welfare Associations: Local neighbourhood bodies have received direct institutional channels to convey community safety grievances to authorities. Residents can now cross-verify on-ground guard attendance through newly operational biometric monitors and scheduled supervisor inspections. Why this happened The comprehensive park safety review was triggered by a horrific assault incident alongside longstanding infrastructural neglect within municipal green spaces. Systemic oversights in perimeter control, lighting, and electronic monitoring necessitated high-level administrative intervention. • Catalyst Incident in Kalkaji: A brutal gang rape incident at Astha Kunj Park highlighted severe security lapses across public open spaces. In direct reaction to the public outcry and security failure, Lieutenant Governor Delhi Government Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered an exhaustive safety audit of all public grounds. • Critical Surveillance Vacuum: Out of 736 maintained green spaces under the development body, a mere 16 facilities possessed operating closed-circuit cameras. The acute absence of visual tracking, dedicated emergency response, and night patrols left these public grounds virtually unpoliced. • Dilapidated Infrastructure and Darkness: Structural neglect left hundreds of parks plunged in darkness after sunset, while 399 locations suffered from broken or stolen boundary railings. Unlocked gates and unchecked abandoned structures provided convenient hideouts and unrestricted access for offenders. Questions & Answers 1. How many DDA parks were evaluated during the safety audit? A total of 736 parks under the Delhi Development Authority underwent a comprehensive safety audit. 2. How many parks have been categorised as high risk for visitors? The audit classified 190 parks as high risk, prioritising them for immediate security upgrades. 3. How many DDA parks currently feature operational CCTV cameras? Only 16 DDA parks currently have CCTV cameras installed, with 323 additional parks identified for urgent camera deployment. 4. Who directed the execution of this comprehensive security review? Lieutenant Governor Delhi Government Taranjit Singh Sandhu issued the directives for conducting the audit. 5. What measure has been implemented to verify guard attendance? Biometric attendance verification has been deployed across 602 parks to ensure strict staff presence. 6. How many public parks require additional lighting installations? A total of 520 parks were identified as lacking adequate illumination, with emergency lighting works launched in 231 of them. https://trendkia.com/en/national/rajadhani-men-dda-ke-736-parkon-ka-hua-sephti-dita-190-sabase-khataranaka-shreni-men-darja-41769 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.