Delhi government expedites plan to set up 50 police posts at subways, under flyovers

Delhi government, in a move aimed at strengthening women’s safety in the national capital, has expedited its plan to set up police posts at pedestrian subways, beneath flyovers and near foot overbridges.

Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Saturday directed officials to complete the formalities in coordination with the Delhi Police and begin work at the earliest.

“With the Delhi Police and the PWD completing formalities, directions have been given to issue tenders and start work on the ground. In the initial phase, we plan to set up police posts at around 50 locations,” Singh said.

He added that the posts would be funded by the Delhi government, while the Delhi Police would be responsible for providing personnel and managing the areas. Tenders for the project are expected to be floated soon.

The initiative is aimed at improving the safety and utilisation of public infrastructure, Singh said.

The PWD, which maintains around 106 flyovers, 115 foot overbridges and nearly 70 pedestrian subways in the city, will construct the proposed police posts for the Delhi Police.

Officials said the Delhi Police had initially proposed setting up around 50 posts, and an assessment found the proposal feasible.

“While we have approved that proposal, in future, we plan to cover all road assets such as flyovers, pedestrian subways and foot overbridges. Approximately 300 police posts will be set up,” officials said.

In a later phase, the PWD is also considering allowing commercial establishments inside pedestrian subways, although the proposal is yet to receive approval. Officials said the broader objective is to make these spaces safer and give users a greater sense of security.

The move comes alongside the government’s earlier efforts to improve the upkeep and use of public infrastructure. In July last year, it proposed an “adopt a flyover” initiative under a public-private partnership model to improve cleanliness and maintenance.

An agreement was subsequently signed with private companies for the initiative.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had also announced a corporate social responsibility initiative inviting private companies to transform spaces beneath six flyovers into cleaner, organised and visually engaging public areas.- Ends