Redone Vile Parle police station sets benchmark for others

MUMBAI: A visit to the new four-storey Vile Parle police station left guardian minister for Mumbai suburbs Vinod Tawde impressed and he took the decision to fund the redevelopment of more police stations on similar lines, said senior police.

Rebuilt at a cost of Rs 6.5 crore, the entire Vile Parle police station is wifi-enabled, with CCTV cameras on all floors, a central announcement system and rainwater harvesting. This is a far cry from the situation the personnel endured for seven long years after the old building was razed. They operated out of cramped Porta cabins as the redevelopment work was stuck due to some issues.

“The new building has a dedicated room for POCSO (Protection of Children From Sexual Offences) Act cases. These cases are sensitive as victims are very young and safeguarding their identities is essential. Only female personnel interact with the children,” said an officer.

There are also dedicated rooms for accidental death records and for cybercrimes. Male and female personnel also have rooms where they can can rest. While the police personnel can work out in the in-house gym, they also have a dining hall with a refrigerator, a water cooler and a microwave oven. There are also cofee and tea vending machines on every floor for citizens. “While staying fit is a job requirement, our irregular working hours don’t leave us any time to exercise. Having a state-of-the-art gym at the police station makes a big difference. Watching colleagues work out also motivates others to hit the gym whenever there is a little respite from work,” said a constable.

Zonal deputy commissioner of police Anil Kumbhare said: “The constables have been made custodians of each amenity so that these are well looked after.”

The tender process for the redevelopment of four more suburban police stations in Mumbai will begin shortly, sources said. The police department has proposed Govandi, Vinoba Bhave Nagar, Vakola, Goregaon, Malad and Meghwadi police stations for redevelopment. Of these, Vakola is housed in a police colony, while Vinoba Bhave Nagar functions adjacent to a nullah. The stench from the nullah and the mosquitoes make it difficult for the cops to work. “We are giving priority for redevelopment to police stations that are located on our land,” said an IPS officer. Several police stations are located on leased land and the police department will first have to acquire the land.