A 19-year-old German national was attacked Friday night near Kashmere Gate in New Delhi. Benjamin Scolt, a teenager from Germany, was attacked with a blade and looted of money as he was travelling from Chandni Chowk to Kashmere Gate at 10 pm. He was admitted to a hospital soon after the incident but he is out of danger. – The Indian Express
Unfortunately, this did not surprise me when I read where this tourist was walking alone at night.
Chandni Chowk and Kashmere Gate are amazing places to visit. They’re the heart of Old Delhi and a stark contrast to New Delhi. It’s like going back in time, and it’s an experience like no other.
However, after sunset, Old Delhi is not safe for foreigners. More so than other areas of Delhi it attracts petty criminals.
Safety tips for Old Delhi at night
- Do not travel by foot at night. The streets and lanes of Old Delhi are barely lit, if at all. Take the underground Metro system or a rickshaw instead.
- Avoid staying in Old Delhi hotels. Old Delhi is easily accessible by Metro during the day. Stay in safer and suburban South Delhi instead.
- Don’t travel alone at night.
- Take care of your belongings and leave any valuables in the hotel safe. Pick pocketing is common around Old Delhi and in its metro stations.
- Even during the day, it’s preferable that women travel to Old Delhi with a male companion. Men can be quite brazen there.
With a little preparation India is a safe and enjoyable place to travel. See my India Survival Guide (Quick-Start Safety Guide) if you want to stay safe and enjoy India to its fullest.
