As Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) push for increased funding to strengthen security infrastructure in residential societies, security guards say issues of job stability, training, and working conditions remain unaddressed.
Last month, United Residents Joint Action (URJA), a body representing around 2,500 RWAs in the city, wrote to the Centre seeking ₹2,000 crore from the ₹1 lakh crore Urban Bodies Fund to enhance security infrastructure. The proposal includes training of guards, better wages, installation of CCTV cameras, control rooms, emergency lighting, and other equipment.
“The security guards employed by RWAs are not trained enough to deal with emergency situations. They are simply placed with a uniform and some gadgets and are not equipped to handle crises,” said Atul Goyal, president of URJA.
On the ground, guards say their work is demanding, often without adequate support. Guards are typically paid a monthly salary of ₹20,000 to ₹25,000.
Tej Pratap, 48, posted at a residential society in Dwarka Sector 10, said the most challenging part of his job is staying alert through the night. “The most critical time is between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., when most thefts are likely to take place,” he said.
To address this, the agency he works for has introduced hourly patrols, requiring guards to record videos during rounds and share them on WhatsApp groups.
“It ensures guards remain alert and that all parked vehicles are checked,” said Shiv Kumar Dubey, founder of the security agency.
Despite such measures, guards say job insecurity persists. Mr. Pratap, originally from Alwar in Rajasthan, took up the job after losing his position as a mechanical engineer in Noida during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I had worked there for 13 years. After the pandemic, I was never called back,” he said.
He recalled an incident last year when he was nearly dismissed after stopping an unregistered vehicle from entering the society. “When I refused entry, a group of boys began abusing me. I called my supervisor, but later I was told I should have handled it on my own,” he said.
Many guards also point to strict employment criteria and health-related challenges. Manu, a 19-year-old guard in Saket, said he has struggled to meet the agency’s weight requirement after recovering from dengue.
“They require a minimum weight of 55 kg. I lost a lot of weight during illness, and it is difficult to regain it,” he said.
Training, too, remains a concern. Manu said he received only basic instructions on managing entry gates, visitor logs, and emergency exits. “There was some basic fire-fighting training, but it is not enough, especially given recent fire incidents in the city,” he said.
Security experts stress that training is crucial. Captain Ravee, founder of Orion School of Security and Intelligence Management (OSSIM), said decision-making ability is a key aspect of a guard’s role.
“They must be able to assess potentially dangerous situations and act promptly. For instance, an unidentified vehicle parked outside a society for a long time could pose a serious threat,” he said.
A former officer of the 11th Gorkha Rifles, Captain Ravee founded the institute in 2007 to address gaps in the private security sector. He said agencies are mandated under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005, to provide at least 160 hours of training, covering emergency protocols such as fire and earthquakes.
Guards are also trained in crowd management, evacuation procedures, identification of sensitive areas, and interpersonal skills.
“Training is a basic investment, not an expense. A guard cannot prevent crime if he is not alert and prepared,” he said.
Guards say, however, that beyond infrastructure and training, their own safety needs attention. Recalling recent incidents of violence against guards in Delhi and Noida, Mr. Pratap said even minor disputes can escalate quickly.
“We are responsible for everyone’s safety. Others should also think about ours,” he said.
Published - July 19, 2026 08:11 pm IST