After spending nearly a decade under an asbestos-topped cramped room, the personnel at the Maduravoyal police station will finally get some breathing space when the new station, being constructed for them, gets inaugurated. The construction of this Rs. 60 lakh facility, undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Police Housing Corporation, is nearing completion.
As per plan, the new station will be built on 9,600 sq ft of land with a built-up area of 3,000 sq ft and will comprise six rooms including two lock-ups (separate for men and women), a conference room, a separate room for inspectors of Law & Order, crime and traffic wings and sub inspectors. A highly guarded room to store arms and ammunition will be housed on the ground floor of the building. The first floor of the building will have records room, lunch room and rest rooms.. Special ramps have also been constructed for the disabled. At present, most of the interior works have been completed. Cement flooring is being done outside the police station for parking. “The new police building would also accommodate the assistant commissioner office (traffic wing), Koyambedu range. It will be ready for occupation next month,” said a police source.
At present, 120 police personnel, including 60 belonging to the law and order wing, share the space in the 250 sq ft single room.
Right from filing reports, conducting enquires, detaining suspects, sharing food with their colleagues, changing uniforms and resting, everything is done here.
The jurisdiction of the station covers areas such as Maduravoyal and Vannagaram, with a population of around five lakh people. Despite the lack of parking space or visitor’s hall, the rush at the station is huge. This in turn creates traffic problem on PH Road, where the station is located. The situation is worse during the monsoon when rainwater enters the building. “The new building would be a relief for both visitors and police personnel,” said S. Sekar, a resident of Maduravoyal.