Maharashtra government to get 120 new police stations, 61,000 cops in 5 yrs

The Maharashtra government has decided to set up 120 new police stations in the state in the next five years and recruit an additional manpower of 61,000 policemen. The move stems from the fact that the state is seeing a steady rise in population as well as repeated terror attacks.

Five years down the line, the Maharashtra police will be the largest police force in the country with a total strength of 2.70 lakh, up from 2.09 lakh today.

The state at present has 1,200 police stations spread across nine police commissionerates, nine ranges, including railways, and 36 district police units.

Confirming the development, an official from the state home department told dna, "We have already earmarked the districts and cities where these new police stations will be set up. Sixty-four police stations will be set up in the first phase."

He added said that the additional manpower will also be in place in the next five years. "The new recruits will be working in local police stations, traffic department, specialised cells and also Quick Response Teams," the officer added.

Asked the need for requirement of more police stations, the officer said, "Threat from terror elements, rising crimes, traffic and development are some of the major reasons which prompted the government to set up more police stations in the state. Also the population is growing fast and to cater this population we need to have more manpower."