Tihar has over 19,500 inmates, nearly double its capacity.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday said the government plans to relocate the Tihar Jail complex in west Delhi to a larger site on the city’s outskirts.

Located near Tilak Nagar and spread over 400 acres, Tihar Jail houses around 19,500 inmates, nearly double its sanctioned capacity of 10,026, with the number steadily rising.

“A new jail complex is planned at different locations… ₹10 crore is proposed for consultation and survey work under this relocation,” announced Ms. Gupta.

The government has also proposed the renovation of the immigration detention centre – Lampur Restriction and Detention Centre – from April 1, and an outlay of ₹20 crore has been proposed.

Ms. Gupta said that 50,000 new CCTV cameras would be installed to boost public safety, especially for women, in addition to the existing network of 2.8 lakh cameras across Delhi.

“We will take concrete steps to enhance women’s safety and security by identifying ‘dark spots’ in Delhi,” she said, adding that such vulnerable zones will be systematically reduced.

Women safety

The CM announced the introduction of Pink Police Control Room (PCR) units to improve women security. She added that forming dedicated women battalions will increase the recruitment of women police officers.

She said two new women hostels will be built under the ‘Sakhi Niwas Yojana’ to provide secure accommodations for working women and female students pursuing higher education.

‘Not for intruders’

Ms. Gupta said her government would ensure that the benefits of the welfare schemes reach only the eligible beneficiaries. “The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government ran Delhi’s schemes for vote bank politics. We will launch a vigorous verification campaign to make sure that the benefits of the schemes reach only Delhiites and not illegal immigrants, especially Bangladeshis and Rohingya,”the CM asserted.

Fire services

As the Fire Department continues to face a challenge in congested areas, the government has proposed introducing a two-wheeler first-vehicle response. Moreover, small fire engines will be deployed at 100 locations in congested and remote areas.

She added that a budget of ₹110 crore has been allocated for modern tech, pressure pumps, and vehicles with live cameras.

Ms. Gupta also proposed setting up an emergency operations centre for better crisis management.