Heritage Meets High-Tech

Built in 1930 and located near Dilli Gate, Shah Jahan8217;s entrance to the city...

Built in 1930 and located near Dilli Gate, Shah Jahan8217;s entrance to the city, the Daryaganj police station was of great importance to the British government. Almost 80 years later, it is now one of the most strategic police stations in Old Delhi and

Known as Faiz Bazaar police station during the colonial era 8212; when the area was a business hub 8212; it has retained a certain regal air and is recognised as a heritage building. But time has wrought many changes. The number of police personnel as well as the population of the area have increased by more than five times; the mounting paperwork is reflected in the cupboards and sandooks iron boxes; and some of the halls have been partitioned to make smaller enclosures.

In addition, the thana, also the main police station of the Central District, now accommodates several new units 8212; bomb squad, dog squad, District Investigation Unit, workshop, radio station, battery section and the ACP8217;s office.

With an attractive faccedil;ade that does not show many signs of wear and tear the station gets a coat of whitewash every year the 1,000-sq-metre building is surrounded by lawns and decades-old peepul trees. There is an air of order inside as well. The two lock-ups, one for each sex, are guarded around the clock by a constable, and the station remains under the surveillance of four CCTV cameras. On the first floor, the Central District8217;s accounts branch operates out of a large hall which houses almirahs stacked neatly with files. 8220;We have proper space for keeping files, lathis, uniforms, jackets and helmets. We have been given boxes with locks,8221; said a head constable. Delhi Police Spokesperson Rajan Bhagat added, 8220;This police station is a national asset and a heritage building, so we try to maintain it properly.8221;

In addition to 20 small rooms, three other spacious halls serve as the barracks for over 350 officers 140 of them are directly under the police station, while the rest belong to other units. 8220;Our officers are competent and we have provided all facilities to them,8221; said Alok Kumar, DCP, Central District. It is easy to believe him. Each hall is furnished with about 15 cots, while eight to 10 ceiling fans keep the space from getting stuffy. The station is also equipped with four toilets and bathrooms on the ground floor and one on the first floor near the barracks.

Adding to the comfort of these quarters is a recreation-cum-dining room in the mess, where cops can watch television in their free time 8212; it is open from 5 am to 9 am and from 3 pm to 8 pm. For snacks and tea, they can head to the canteen, open from 8 am to 10 pm. Water coolers are placed at three locations and power cuts are taken care of by a large generator. 8220;We get water around the clock, electricity, clean toilets and other facilities,8221; said Constable Suresh Kumar Vats, who has been posted here for about 18 months he is also reader to the SHO. At the back of the main building, about 20 rooms, declared 8216;unsafe8217; some time ago, are under use again, although maintenance work is still on in this portion of the building.

Meanwhile, work continues at a steady clip. Two officers 8212; one male and one female 8212; are stationed at the reception to listen to complaints. Most are relatively minor. The SHO of the thana, Ram Kumar, said, 8220;The Daryaganj police station does not get many cases of serious crime. We receive about 600 cases a year, including cheating and theft, but heinous crimes are not a frequent occurrence in the area8221;. And even though the station, like most others across the country, is somewhat short-staffed, a good percentage of the cases filed here get solved. Officials added that new recruits in the Central District are usually posted at the Daryaganj police station to help them learn the ropes of policing. Many, it is likely, do not look forward to transfers elsewhere.