New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday evening conducted a surprise inspection of Mukherjee Nagar, the Capital's prominent coaching and educational hub, and directed officials to address students' concerns over affordable study spaces, high paying guest (PG) rents, women's safety and civic amenities.
During the visit, Gupta sat with students at a tea shop and heard their grievances regarding housing, drinking water, sanitation, street lighting, CCTV cameras and safety arrangements in coaching institutes and libraries. She also directed officials to identify suitable spaces for setting up a free library in the area.
Students told the Chief Minister that high library fees and the closure of existing facilities were affecting their preparation for competitive examinations. Gupta asked officials to examine the condition, infrastructure and safety standards of operational libraries and work with the local MLA to identify vacant plots or community buildings that could be used to establish a free library.
High PG rents, security deposits and brokerage charges were among the other concerns raised during the interaction. Students also flagged inadequate hostel facilities, poor ventilation in rooms, construction-related inconvenience and concerns over food quality. Gupta said the government was working on issues related to a PG policy and additional hostels to improve accommodation facilities for students. Women students highlighted difficulties in commuting after dark, particularly in stretches with inadequate street lighting. The Chief Minister directed officials to review street lights and CCTV coverage and asked police representatives to act against vehicles using unauthorised dark-tinted films.
Gupta also took note of a public toilet that had reportedly remained closed for a long time and instructed officials to convert it into a Pink Toilet and make it operational soon. She called for regular maintenance of public toilets and identification of locations for additional facilities.
Residents and students from Mukherjee Nagar, Nehru Vihar and neighbouring colonies also complained about garbage accumulation, foul smells and irregular cleaning in narrow lanes. The Chief Minister directed officials to conduct regular inspections and ensure that sanitation measures extend beyond main roads to residential streets.
On drinking water, students expressed concern over the possibility of sewage contaminating supplies during rainfall. Gupta asked officials to investigate the complaints and take corrective measures to ensure water quality and reliable supply.
Students also raised concerns about loudspeakers disrupting studies at night and inadequate fire safety arrangements, including unsafe exits in coaching institutes and libraries. The Chief Minister called for inspections to verify compliance with fire safety norms and building safety requirements, while stressing adherence to prescribed noise regulations.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.