Inauguration of Various Projects of Pune City Police Commissionerate
Pune, 9 : Considering the challenges before the police and the new issues of law and order, a new structure for the police force has been created after 60 years. The police station network has been reorganized, and new Narcotics and Forensic units have been set up. The government will continue to fully support the modernization of the police force. For Pune city, there is a demand for police stations at Lohegaon, Laxminagar, Narhe, Manjari, and Yeolewadi, and approval will be given for the same. Approval will also be granted for the required manpower of 1,000 personnel, assured Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The CM was speaking at the groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony of various projects to be set up in Pune city, organized by the Pune City Police Commissionerate at the Police Headquarters, Shivajinagar. Present on the occasion were Deputy CM and District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Anna Bansode, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla, Managing Director of Maharashtra State Police Housing & Welfare Corporation Archana Tyagi, Pune City Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, and others.
Saying that approval will soon be given to appoint two Deputy Commissioners of Police for Pune, CM Fadnavis stated that as cities expand, the police force also needs improvement. One new police station was inaugurated, and the foundation stone was laid for four others. This is the first time in the state that seven police stations have been sanctioned for a city at once. Given Pune’s growth and its industrial and educational importance, strengthening the city’s security arrangements is a priority.
The first phase of Pune city’s CCTV project was inaugurated 10 years ago. The system needed to be connected to a control room equipped with modern technology. Today, the country’s most modern CCTV system has been launched for the city, with such a control room. This will help control traffic effectively and analyze crimes and situations using artificial intelligence. The system will aid in the quick identification of criminals, making it difficult for them to evade police surveillance.
Cutting-Edge Security for Pune
Technology-based monitoring of deserted areas will start from Bopdev Ghat. Over the next two years, such monitoring will cover 22 hills in and around the city. If cameras in the system stop functioning, the control room will be immediately notified, and repairs will be carried out within 24 hours. An advanced and capable security system has thus been established for Pune. A public address system has been set up at crowded places to issue announcements. Five modern control vehicles with drone facilities, connected to the control room, have been made available to the police. These vehicles can function like mini commissionerates when required.
Modern Technology to Improve Pune’s Traffic System
Pune is a future-ready and important city, so a development plan is being prepared through the Growth Hub initiative. To solve Pune’s traffic problems, an advanced integrated traffic management system will be established using satellite technology. Traffic signals will be linked to this system, helping to improve the flow of traffic and divert vehicles to alternative routes when necessary. Artificial intelligence will also be used to control traffic.
A 10-year infrastructure plan for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and PMRDA areas is being prepared, and it will be presented to the public. The final traffic management plan will be prepared based on public suggestions, said Mr. Fadnavis.
The government has launched strict action against narcotics. Pune police have performed well in this regard, but the fight against narcotics will need to continue on a larger scale. The CM also praised Pune police for a project aimed at transforming the lives of juveniles in conflict with the law.
Government Committed to Police Modernization – Dy CM Ajit Pawar
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said that with the expansion of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, the responsibility of maintaining law and order for the police has increased. Citizens should feel safe, and no untoward incidents should occur. For this, modern facilities are being provided to the city police force. The state government has decided to allocate 5% (₹1,100 crore) of the state’s annual plan budget for the police force.
In the last two years, ₹40 crore has been provided for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and rural Pune police through the District Planning Committee. The newly inaugurated Chandannagar Police Station building is well-equipped with all facilities. Along with giving the police good infrastructure, citizens visiting the police station with complaints should also get justice, and the police should make special efforts for this. Citizens, too, should cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order.
To address traffic congestion near the District Collector’s Office, the Bund Garden Police Station should be relocated soon, he directed.
With various festivals coming up, police are planning well and engaging with citizens so that celebrations can take place in peace. Citizens should organize events by following the rules. When the government, police administration, and citizens work in coordination, festivals can be celebrated with enthusiasm and joy.
The Deputy CM also said that police should suggest necessary legal changes to help eradicate juvenile delinquency and assured that the government will not let the police face any shortage of facilities.
In his introductory remarks, Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar shared details of various projects of the Pune City Police Commissionerate. He said that in the last three years, the government has approved projects worth ₹1,000 crore to strengthen the Pune police force. In October 2024, the government sanctioned seven new police stations and 816 personnel for the city. Approval has also been given for 2,800 CCTV cameras and an Integrated Command and Control Center worth ₹450 crore, with work already underway.
For strengthening security at 22 ghats and hills, ₹80 crore has been approved for a CCTV surveillance project. The District Planning Committee has approved 150 vehicles for the police. The government has also sanctioned ₹200 crore for the new Police Commissionerate building. These projects will enhance the police force’s capabilities and strengthen the city’s security system.
Before the program, CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the “Drishti” Integrated Command and Control Center and the new Chandannagar Police Station building. The foundation stone for the new buildings of Lonikand, Nanded City, Kharadi, and Kondhwa police stations was laid via video link.
The CM inspected the Drishti Integrated Command and Control Center, launched mobile surveillance vans, and flagged off drones. He also announced the launch of the ITMS system.
The CM felicitated two-year-old Komal Kale from Katraj, who was safely recovered from Dharashiv after analysis of 200 CCTV camera footages, as well as the police officers involved in the case. Women attendees tied ‘Rakhi’ to the CM and Deputy CM.
The event was attended by MLAs Uma Khapre, Yogesh Tilekar, Amit Gorakhe, Bhimrao Tapkir, Rahul Kul, Bapusaheb Pathare, Chetan Tupe, Siddharth Shirole, Hemant Rasane, Shankar Jagtap, Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Choubey, District Collector Jitendra Dudi, and others.
