After Aastha Kunj incident, residents seek safer DDA parks, proper lighting, upkeep
Following a gang rape incident at Aastha Kunj Park, Delhi residents are demanding improved security, better lighting, and stricter maintenance from the Delhi Development Authority. Community members suggest forming local safety committees to manage the park's upkeep and security.
Why it matters
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the management and safety of public green spaces in large urban centers.
The gang rape of a 17-year-old girl at Aastha Kunj Park in southeast Delhi's Kalkaji area has highlighted safety and maintenance issues concerning the sprawling 142-acre green space and other such DDA parks, with residents and local Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWA) flagging poor lighting, broken sections of the boundary walls and inadequate security.
Residents said the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) parks remain poorly lit in the evening and portions of boundary walls are damaged, making it difficult to monitor movement in and around the premises.
"One of the biggest issues is that these are huge parks, which are under DDA, but there is no proper ownership. The recent incident has highlighted the problem. If the DDA is unable to properly upkeep these parks, it should let locals come together and form neighbourhood park safety committees, with members from RWAs, police officials and others," said Ruby Makhija, secretary of Navjiwan RWA.
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