DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal
New Delhi, Dec 18 – Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Saturday issued notice to Public Works Department (PWD) officials over reported missing of ‘streetlights’ on several roads and bus stops in the National Capital.
The DCW sought a report in the matter and asked the reasons for bus stops and roads being dark spots, it said in a communiqué.
The Commission also sought details of complaints received since January 1, 2022 regarding dark spots at these bus stops and streets and action taken on each complaint.
DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal along with Member Vandana Singh inspected certain bus stops in East Delhi to assess the safety concerns for women and girls therein, on the evening of December 15.
During the visit to Ramesh Park Bus Stop at 6:45 pm, the Commission was shocked to find that there were no lights. Furthermore, the streetlights on that stretch of the road were non-functioning.
Further, they inspected the stretch of Pushta road from Ramesh Park Bus Stop till Lalita Park, which was also absolutely dark as none of the streetlights were functioning, the communique said.
“It was observed that many poles did not even have a streetlight, rendering the road pitch dark and unsafe.
Lalita Park Bus Stop which was also pitch dark. When the Commission interacted with women there, they informed that the entire stretch of the road and the bus stop has remained dark for several months, which makes it extremely unsafe for them,” the statement read.
“Even after 12 years of Nirbahya’s horrific ordeal, Delhi remains unsafe for women and girls. The bus stops that I inspected were just near Akshardham. If such a central area is also pitch dark, one can only imagine what must be happening in outer areas.
I have issued a notice to PWD. We will take strict action on the matter. The government must ensure that bus stops and streets are made safe for women and girls,” said Maliwal.
