Visakhapatnam: The city police have proposed a spacious complex for the commissionerate , which will house various wings and infrastructure for the department. The complex is likely to come up in 25 acres land either at Mudasarlova-Arilova or Madhurawada areas.The fulfilment of the project became easy for the city police as the commissionerate was accorded HoD status by the government last year. The commissionerate now gets funds directly from the government, thereby allowing various projects to be completed early.Sources said the police have approached district revenue authorities, who have already verified a land parcel of 13 acres near Chinnagadili area. The present police commissionerate building at Maharanipeta was built in 1905 during the British Era. It was in a dilapidated state until the recent renovation done from CSR funds of HPCL. The present commissionerate has many wings working in the same premises spread across three acres.In the same premises, a four storied building was constructed for the city police commissioner’s office. Construction works for this building have been long drawn, and the police chief has been operating from the new building for the past two years. Presently, the commissionerate has police chief, assisted by two joint city police commissioners, along with two DCPs — who are all cadre or conferred IPS officers — and four additional DCPs, besides 18 ACPs. City police commissioner, T Yoganand, told TOI: “We have requested district collector, Pravin Kumar, to allot required land parcel for the new premises of police commissionerate. As the city is turning into a smart city at a rapid pace, we need to house many institutions, and scale up infrastructure facilities.” He said they have proposals to construct permanent structures for various police stations, and other wings.Once the required land is identified and handed over to the commissioner’s office, the present commissioner office will be utilised as office for deputy commissioner of police (DCP). The city joint police commissioner, and police chief’s office will be accommodated in the new premises, which will have traffic training institute, counselling centre for drunk drivers, counselling centre for women and families, besides city training college. Sources said Vizag Police district was formed in the year 1863 by Britishers. It was bifurcated in November 1 of 1983 into Visakha urban police district, and rural police district.Later, it was turned into an urban police district adding surrounding areas. Commissioner of police with magisterial powers was appointed in May 1989. Former DGP, AK Mohanty, was appointed as first police commissioner with rank of SP at this commissionerate. The post was upgraded with the appointment of DIG rank officer, Mahendra Kumavat, in 1990. It was again upgraded with IG rank, with AK Khan holding the post in 2000.

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