2 years on, coastal police station project yet to take off

Although coastal police stations have already been commissioned in Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh, the West Bengal government is yet to begin the project that was sanctioned by the Centre in 2005-06.

Although coastal police stations have already been commissioned in Gujrat and Andhra Pradesh, the West Bengal government is yet to begin the project that was sanctioned by the Centre in 2005-06.

As a part of the coastal security scheme formulated by the Centre, four police stations were to be set up in the coastal areas of West Bengal —- three in the riverine areas of South 24 Parganas and one in North 24 Parganas.

“The four police stations in Bengal were planned in the riverine areas which serve as a heaven for infiltrators and smugglers from neighbouring Bangladesh,” said Somen Mitra, DIG, Presidency Range, West Bengal Police.

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Under the project, each police station was to get a launch for patrolling and keep a check on criminal activities in shallow waters.

The central government had passed the project in the financial year 2005-2006 and commissioning of these police stations was to begin within a year. However, according to the West Bengal Police, the areas where the police stations were to be set up are inaccessible and hostile.

The cost of construction has also nearly doubled due to an increase in the transportation cost. Thus, the proposed police stations have been relocated.

Mitra assured that the work would begin from temporary area stations within a couple of months. “We are in the process of inviting tenders for the construction work of these police stations.”

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Moreover, the launches that form an integral part of these police stations are not yet ready. Sources said the launches will be manufactured by Garden Reach Ship and Ship Builders in Kolkata and they need more time for delivery.

“To tide over this problem, we have decided to rent vessels and begin work,” Mitra said.

The policemen posted in coastal police stations also require special training, as they will have to counter infiltrators and terrorists. The state police, however, do not have any plan in place to train them.

“These police stations will be no different from other police stations in the state, the only difference is that the policemen posted there will use boats and launches to nab criminals,” the DIG said.