Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Punishment and Reward for Navi Mumbai Police' that was published in Newsband

Punishment and reward for Navi Mumbai policemen

There are policemen in Navi Mumbai who many a times have to do 16-hour day duty. Bandhs especially spell bad news for policemen. For, they have to ensure the law and order situation in the city remains under control, even long after we have reached home safe.

A majority of the city policemen, along with forces like the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) are roped in for duty during occasions like bandh. They have to report for work between 5 am and 6 am, in case any trouble breaks out early during the day. Many of them live in distant suburbs like Thane or Navi Mumbai, which means they have to start from home even before the sun rises. They have to begin their day when the rest of the city is still asleep. They cannot complain since everyone has to adjust in such circumstances. This is their job.

In case there is no untoward incident, they can leave after 8 pm. But if there is a problem, then there will be no fixed timing. Even the top brass has to report for work early, in order to decide the deployment of forces. This is the punishment that Navi Mumbai policemen have to face.

But it is heartening to know that these policemen are now going to be rewarded. Navi Mumbai police stations are to get new buildings soon.

For police stations in Navi Mumbai awaiting new buildings, the wait is almost over. Development plans have been approved for the police station buildings where new structures had been proposed. Construction works of some of the police stations have also begun. As many as four new police stations had also been approved for Navi Mumbai. The new police stations — Turbhe MIDC, Rabale MIDC, Khandeshwar and Kamothe — are sanctioned to cater to the growing population of the city.

The plans for the police stations awaiting new buildings are approved by the authorities concerned. Among the police stations which are to have new buildings, the plans for the Kharghar, NRI Coastal, Kamothe, Nhava Sheva and Turbhe police stations have been approved. Construction work has started at the Kharghar and Kamothe police stations. The work is on and will be completed in the next few months.

The City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) has prepared the plans for three of the police stations which are awaiting their new structures. The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) authorities have prepared the plans for the Nhava Sheva police station, and the Police Housing Corporation have prepared the plans for the new Turbhe police station. The new Turbhe police station will be located close to the Palm Beach Road near Sanpada. The new police station, although called Turbhe police station, will cater mostly to Sanpada residents.

The police are awaiting clearances for the NRI police station. As the airport is coming up, Navi Mumbai policemen will have to await clearances as the police station may be in the flight path.

Thus it’s great to know that a serious attempt is being made to improve the working conditions of the Navi Mumbai policemen. All that is left to be done now is to provide these policemen decent ownership houses near to their places of work. That will make their lives more comfortable.