A meeting will be held by top state home ministry officials on Tuesday to take a decision on the land proposed to be allocated to Force One — the state’s first response team of commandos — even as the owner of the identified plot, the Animal Husbandry department, is not willing to part with the land easily.

The state police had identified a plot at Aarey Milk Colony, adjoining the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) grounds in Goregaon belonging to the Aarey Dairy Development, which comes under the Animal Husbandry department. The initial demand was for land not less than 50 acres —including an area for landing of helicopters — which was later brought down to 40 acres.

At Tuesday’s meeting to discuss the recommendations on the state proposed Action Taken Report on November 26/11, the home department will push for its demand for at least 38 acres of land. Officials of the animal husbandry department, meanwhile, state that they would like to have a separate meeting with the home officials later this week to discuss how to tackle the modalities of land transfer and ensure release of land in a manner that does not pinch the department’s own needs.

Chandra Iyengar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home), said, “We are hoping that the decision will be taken on Tuesday. We are keen on the plot as it is close to the SRPF unit and is in the vicinity of the NSG Hub, too. If needed, a facility for landing choppers can be created there.”

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