Shift in University’s Shuttle Terminal amidst safety concerns

On Monday, 23rd June 2025, the Transport Team formally announced the launch of a pilot test for the switch in the university’s shuttle terminal from Jahangirpuri to Azadpur metro station.   

Following prolonged deliberations about dwindling student safety at Jahangirpuri, the Campus Life Ministry (CLM) in collaboration with the Transport Team had explored  the possibility of shifting the university shuttle terminal to a safer alternative.  

Starting June 23rd all university shuttle services to Jahangirpuri were discontinued and the new route became operational, with boarding and deboarding now taking place at Gate 1 of Azadpur metro station. 

This change was introduced in response to multiple student reports of unsafe and uncomfortable travel experiences at the Jahangirpuri station area. In past reports, students recounted incidents ranging from phone theft and persistent staring to catcalling and physical harassment, particularly in the walk between the metro gate and the university shuttle point.

In a statement shared with The Edict, the Transport Team cited poor lighting, heavy traffic, safety risks and lack of secure waiting areas at the Jahangirpuri metro station as primary concerns raised by students, faculty and staff members. In response to the expressed concerns, the Transport Team evaluated alternative locations through site visits and detailed reviews before identifying Azadpur as the most suitable option. 

Azadpur was chosen for its connectivity to both Yellow and Pink metro lines, better lighting, higher commuter footfall, a nearby police station, and upcoming infrastructure such as an under-construction mall. The team emphasized that the shift was aimed at enhancing both “safety and commuter comfort.”

Azadpur had initially been ruled out by the Transport Team due to parking space constraints in the midst of a crowded market and the potential for opposition from local taxi and auto unions. Rohini sector 18-19, too, received mixed responses from the student body—while some lauded the shift as a welcome move for safety, others reported Rohini to be similarly unsafe and isolated. 

During the Spring ‘25 semester, CLM had conducted site visits to Rohini Sector 18-19 metro station on 27th February and 1st March to evaluate the commute distance and time, infrastructure, safety and overall accessibility. However, approval for a pilot move to Rohini was delayed after the Standing Committee urged the Transport Team to consider Azadpur as a more suitable option. 

Since the start of the pilot phase, the Transport Team has reassured students that security personnel would be deployed at the new terminal in the same manner as they were stationed earlier. The MoveInSync app has since been updated to reflect the new metro station and the revised shuttle schedule to Delhi is now available for reference. In case of app errors or glitches, ad hoc boarding was allowed on the first day i.e., June 23. 

As the seat bookings proceed, the Transport team is actively collecting feedback on the revised route via QR codes placed in all shuttle vehicles. Speaking to The Edict, The Transport Team noted that the “responses so far have been largely positive,” though they acknowledged that a few students have raised “some concerns about slightly longer commute times, primarily due to traffic between Jahangirpuri and Azadpur”. However, the pilot remains under close review, and all student feedback will play a central role in assessing the viability of the Azadpur metro station as a safer, long-term alternative. 

(Edited by Somansh Sarangi and Fatema Tambawalla)