The first step towards providing the city police with better housing facilities came on Tuesday as the State Home Minister Jayant Patil inaugurated 324 quarters for the constabulary and a hostel with a capacity to house 1496 trainees at Kole Kalyan in Vakola, Santacruz East.

The function was attended by several IPS officers and politicians including the Commissioner of Police, D Sivanandan, Joint Commissioners of Police K L Prasad, Bhagwant More (Administration), Rakesh Maria (Crime) and Minister for State for Home (Urban) Nasim Khan and Santacruz MLA Kripashankar Singh.

“I am used to seeing police quarters which are only 10x10 ft rooms with a tiny kitchen and bathroom. However, the quality of life for constables is going to take a new turn with these wonderful structures. Also, the establishment of residential quarters for over 1,500 recruits will give an impetus for their training,” said Sivanandan.

Both the quarters and the hostel are located on a 25 acre plot where space has been designated for a parade ground and playground. While the flats are located in nine buildings, the hostel building is a four-floor structure. The estimated expenditure for the projects was around Rs 25 crore, said executive engineer R M Gosavi.

Patil stressed that the successful completion of the quarters and the hostel was a proof that Maharashtra Government is working for the welfare of its police personnel. “I am thankful that in a city like Mumbai where the smallest of space is encroached upon given a chance, this initiative will be instrumental in providing a roof to several police families and budding police personnel,” said Patil who added that this was the tip of the iceberg as a major chunk of constables still live in substandard houses.

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