Police stations becoming 'smart'

The “smart police station” at Thane in Maharashtra was inaugurated with a lot of pride. And why not? Three months since the time that it was selected for this makeover, Wagle Estate Police Station is today transformed.

It is fully computerized and promises to be completely paperless. It obviously has wifi, CCTV cameras, separate space for visitors and even a gym. The idea of having a gym is ensure that the men and women employed use the facilities and keep themselves fit.

They have also built a block there known as ‘muskan’ which is for children, to make them feel safe and comfortable if they are at the police station. This room walls are painted with colorful pictures of cartoon characters; not just here but rest of the station is also brightly painted and sports pictures and paintings. 

Some 33 more police stations have been identified in Thane for this makeover to “smart”. Yes, most certainly this a move in the right direction but we cannot hope and feel that these policemen and women also do their jobs well – that is more important. Their morale is sure to get a boost if they work in a comfortable and conducive atmosphere and lets hope that they and their image too gets a complete makeover, for real.