City to get 22 new police stations soon

Twenty-two new police stations will come into existence in the capital by September 21. With these, the total number of such facilities in the city will rise to 155. The maximum number of police stations will come up in areas where the number of residential colonies has gone up.

"We are in expansion mode. We will have enough forces in these police stations. More police stations will surely help in tackling crime," Delhi Police commissioner Y S Dadwal said.

"This will help in better policing. There will be more beats which will help reduce the response time besides simplifying the police-public ratio. This will also help in better handling of complainants," Dadwal added.

Dadwal said the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) had recently given the sanction to set up 29 new police stations in the city, out of which seven were already functioning. Out of the 29 new police stations, 24 are outside the Outer Ring Road where the number of residential colonies has gone up. Four new police stations are added in North-West Delhi followed by three each in South, Outer and North-East districts, two each in South-East, South-West, West and East districts and one in Central Delhi.

Dadwal said that in 1991, there were only 100 police stations in Delhi. Another 16 were added eight years later, he added. "In less than one year, from October 2008 to September 2009, the government has given the nod for creation of two police districts, 12 sub-divisions and 40 police stations," he said.

Replying to a question on mob justice, the police commissioner said, "When a thief barges into your house, what will you do? If he tries to harm you, how will you react?" Dadwal said. He, however, added, "We are not supporting mob justice. One has to follow the due course of law."

His comments came to a question on a 19-year-old boy who was thrashed badly by residents of Geeta Colony after he was caught allegedly stealing mobile phones and other valuables from three houses on Wednesday.