Men in khaki in short supply near BIA

Men in khaki in short supply near BIA

Monday May 26 2008 15:12 IST

Express News Service

BANGALORE: THE Bangalore International Airport (BIA) may be functioning, the traffic towards Devanahalli doubled and the area prone to crime, but the police department has not yet been able to establish the 10 police stations in the North-East jurisdiction.

Only two police stations (Yelahanka and Devanahalli) are functional, and the burden on them has doubled, with the staff insufficient. Pressure will build from now, with no time limit set to establish the police stations. Few hours after the Devanahalli airport opened on Friday, an accident was reported just a few kilometres from the airport, which put the police officials in a dilemma. Currently, there are three Assistant Commissioners of Police, three inspectors and one Deputy Commissioner of Police for the three subdivisions. While a meagre fund of Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for their establishment, the department has not even been able to identify buildings to set up the offices.

DCP (North-East) Basavaraj Malagatti told the Express that there was tremendous pressure on him and his small staff, until the other police stations are established. ''Work on the DCP office has started at Kodigehalli,while none of the other police stations are functionary. In a week, we will finalise the private buildings to be set up as police stations. It had been delayed because of differences between government and private rates. Government rates for buildings are much lesser,'' he said. He also said that the lack of staff has been a problem. ''Some staff members are on election duty.We are awaiting their return and we will sort that out too. We will find it difficult from now as it will be very hectic.We expect work to begin from next week at least,'' added the DCP. Recently, the gazette notification for the sanction amount for the six police stations was released. Funds have been sanctioned for Amruthahalli, Kodigehalli, Sampigehalli, Kothanur, Bagalur and International Airport.

Manpower will be shifted to Vishvanathapura and Channarayapatna from the Devanahalli and Chikkajala police stations to strengthen them.