Pune: Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis stressed the importance of modernizing the police force to meet the growing challenges in rapidly urbanizing cities like Pune and Mumbai.
Speaking at an event on Friday, Fadnavis highlighted that cities are expanding at a fast pace, and modernizing the police force is crucial to handle the increasing challenges.
He pointed out that Pune, in particular, is witnessing rapid urban growth, making the need for improved infrastructure and updated policing methods even more pressing.
Fadnavis announced the installation of advanced CCTV cameras across Pune to enhance the city's surveillance network. He also inaugurated seven new police stations in Pune and four new stations in the Pimpri-Chinchwad region.
Additionally, a new police station in the Mira Bhayandar Commissionerate was also launched. Fadnavis took the opportunity to lay the foundation stone for the new buildings of the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerates.
During the event, Fadnavis also issued instructions for prompt action in cases involving crimes against women, senior citizens, and children. He made it clear that there would be no tolerance for police officers involved in drug trafficking, warning that such individuals would be immediately dismissed from service.
Highlighting the significant changes being made to the police force, Fadnavis mentioned that the organizational structure and manpower requirements of the police force were established in 1960.
In response to the growing urban population, a new blueprint was developed in 2023 to better address these needs. The modernization of the police force is not just about increasing manpower, but also about making qualitative improvements in how the force operates.
Fadnavis remarked that his tenure as Home Minister saw the recruitment of 40,000 police personnel, which he hailed as a major achievement. He underlined that while crime rates may rise due to the rapid urbanization, delivering justice to citizens should be the top priority.
The police force, according to him, is being equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure to enhance their performance and effectiveness in dealing with crimes.
Fadnavis was accompanied at the event by Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Member of Parliament Prof. Medha Kulkarni, former MLAs Siddharth Shirole, Bhimrao Tapkir, Sunil Tingre, Amit Gorkhe, and Uma Khapre.
Senior police officials, including Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinoy Kumar Choubey, were also present.