Mumbai's hi-tech police station inaugurated

When Shah Rukh Khan acted in One Two Ka Four no one could digest the swank police station shown in the film.

The film flopped, and one of the reasons was the spic and span cop station.

But a dimly lit, dull room strewn around with rickety wooden chairs and tables is readily accepted as a police station.

To give that image a break, the Mumbai police on Friday inaugurated one of the most hi-tech police stations in the country. Bandra-Kurla complex police station has been built at the cost of Rs 4 crore.

The project has been financed by the who's who of corporate India ranging from ICICI, Citibank, National Stock Exchange, Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority and many other companies located in the vicinity.

Speaking during the inauguration, M N Singh, Mumbai police commissioner, said, "This area in Mumbai is surrounded by financial institutions and we thought that it would be great if our police station could have a look like theirs. And, I am happy to see that we have accomplished our task."

The police station is one storied, has 45 rooms spread over an area of 20,000 square feet.

There are plans to construct another seven floors. There is only one computer so far for the 113 officers and the complaints will be jotted down as in other police stations.

After entering the police station, padded swivel chairs greet the visitor. There is also a small garden inside the police station, but only shrubs have been planted so far.

"We will grow more variety of plants in this area. And, I feel that this is the best thing that has happened to me as I am posted here from today," quipped a police officer.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who was present at the inauguration ceremony said, "This is the most beautiful police station of Mumbai. And we will se that MMRDA gives money to this police station as and when it is required."