The Hindu : Chengalpattu East dt. policing expected to improve

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 01, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Chengalpattu East dt. policing expected to improve

By K.T.Sangameswaran

CHENNAI June 30. Policing in the neighbouring Chengalpattu East district is expected to improve when a comprehensive scheme to augment personnel strength, vehicles and equipment in the district is implemented.

The Government has said the plan, at a cost of Rs.33.71 crores, will be implemented in two years.

Considering the increasing population, concentration of industries, proliferation of residential layouts, law and order, crime and traffic problems in the areas abutting the city limits, a proposal to form a police Commissionerate for the district was made in 1997.

But the idea was turned down citing ``legal hitches'' mainly because the district was not a city.

Residents in the outlying areas are vociferous in their complaint that visible policing is absent in the district. ``Night patrol is totally unheard of in our area'', laments a Selaiyur resident.

``Excepting during major law and order problems, the police do not turn up at all'', says a resident of Menambedu, off Ambattur.

The residential layouts in the interior areas are sitting ducks for looters, their operations facilitated by the absence of streetlights. Apart from rowdyism and crimes due, traffic is chaotic, even at important intersections.

The chaos at the Padi-Inner Ring Road intersection during peak hours, existing for years, would speak volumes about traffic management, says a Korattur resident.

Police authorities explain that though the number of personnel in the district may not match the city strength, ``adequate and sanctioned strength'' is available.

But the sanctioned strength is less and needs to be improved. At present, there are 2,500 personnel in 41 police stations of the district, which has a population of about 35 lakhs.

Besides adding more than 1,500 personnel, the proposal aims at making police stations `Grade A' and creating separate traffic and crime wings. At present, traffic police units are available only at St.Thomas Mount, Avadi, Poonamallee, Ambattur and the airport.

Traffic investigation units have been planned for the East Coast Road and the three national highways, GST Road, GNT Road and MTH Road where most accidents occur.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

Jayalalithaa assurance to Jayawardena

DMK to instal Kannagi statues throughout State

300-bed teaching hospital proposed at Adukkamparai

Emigration officials asked to compensate air passenger

Chengalpattu East dt. policing expected to improve

Melavalavu Dalits remembered

Diversion may add to pressure on Inner Ring Road

`Administer antidote to zoo animals periodically'

Valuation did not lead to rise in cut-off marks: Minister