Despite decision to upgrade it to Janamaithri status, the Chottanikkara police station is crying for more space and better infrastructure. Besides, the plan to construct a new building has hit a roadblock.
According to police, the official function to upgrade the station will be held on March 8.
Chottanikkara Sub-Inspector V P Suresh told ‘City Express’ that though the current station does not have the space to accommodate even an extra chair, the new rank will bring more interior facilities to the station.
“Five more computers and a help desk for senior citizens should be accommodated. Now, we are in a situation to send these facilities back,” he said.
There is no space to accommodate more vehicles and additional staff already allotted to the station. “Ten or more cops and more vehicles have been be allotted. But these extra facilities may get underutilised.” As a result, it is feared that the station would remain a normal police station despite the upgradation.
The police station is functioning in a small rented room owned by Chottanikkara Devaswom Board near the Chottanikkara temple.
The total strength of the station is 31, which includes two sub-inspectors. The current building does not have the space to accommodate its staff.
Sources with Chottanikkara panchayat said the chances for a new building have been affected as a private party secured a stop memo against the work. “To construct the new building for the police station, the Home Department had acquired nearly 2 acres of land of the Public Works Department near Chottanikkara bypass. Also, the foundation stone was laid to construct the new building. Now, a private party, who possess land near the 2 acres, collected a stop memo from the court against it. The party claims that the construction of the building will hit the party’s normal life,” sources said.
Piravom Circle Inspector Emmanuel Paul agreed that the station lacks the infrastructure for a Janamaithiri police station. “We will co-ordinate with the higher-ups in the department to solve all the issues, including the hurdles for constructing the new building. The station will be developed to a model police station,” the official said. Emmanuel Paul also said the police station will be shifted to a temporary building of the panchayat after March 8 to solve space constraints,” he said.