Odisha government approves six new police stations
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik
BHUBANESWAR: The chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday approved establishment of six new police stations in different districts, including one in Bhubaneswar. Proposals for setting up of the six police stations were sent to the government a few years ago. Currently the state has 621 police stations.
Even though the government recently imposed curbs on creation of new posts in view of the austerity measures, it agreed to conduct fresh recruitment in the state police because of the need to improve the policing and render various services to the people. “Due to government’s austerity measures, we may not get new buildings and vehicles. We will look for our existing buildings or outposts that can be used as police stations,” a police officer said.
The capital city would see the new police station in Bharatpur following a bifurcation of the existing Khandagiri police station. Angul, Jharsuguda and Bhanjanagar would get one new police station each while Bhadrak district would get two new police stations.
“We are grateful to chief minister Naveen Patnaik for sanctioning the six new police stations. This will significantly improve policing and delivery of services in those areas,” director general of police Abhay said.
Commissioner of police Sudhanshu Sarangi also expressed his gratitude to the chief minister and said the Bharatpur police station was need of the hour. “Though Bharatpur police station will be created following bifurcation of Khandagiri police station, the manpower will not be shifted from the Khandagiri police station to the new one. An inspector, six sub-inspectors, three assistant sub-inspectors and 21 constables would be appointed for Bharatpur police station,” Sarangi said.
The Bharatpur police station will be created by carving out some areas from the Khandagiri police station. The Khandagiri police station currently covers a huge area of nearly 100 square kilometres with a population of around 4 lakh. Sources said Khandagiri police station was set up in 1983 for around 20,000 people. Due to rapid urbanisation and rise in population, the area lacks proper policing, the proposal read. Registration of cases too increased in Khandagiri police station, affecting quality of investigation. Around 650 cases were registered in Khandagiri police station last year.
Police said Bharatpur area witnessed rapid growth and establishment of a number of educational institutions, hospitals, banks, commercial units and residential colonies in last few years. “We also need to improve policing in Baramunda bus stand that is likely to come under theBharatpur police limits. Thousands of passengers throng Baramunda bus stand every day and often undergo exploitation by anti-socials in the area,” another police officer said.