The Maharashtra government has approved the construction of four additional watchtowers at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail (also known as Mumbai Central Jail) as part of a major initiative to enhance the facility’s security and infrastructure. This decision, announced in a government resolution released on Tuesday, aims to prevent escapes, curb the smuggling of contraband into the jail, and improve surveillance in the area surrounding the facility. The move comes in response to growing concerns about the security vulnerabilities posed by the jail’s location in the densely populated Jacob Circle area.
In 2015, a government-appointed committee identified the slums on both sides of Arthur Road Jail as a significant threat to its security. Despite the committee’s recommendation to clear these slums, no action was taken, and the security risks have only grown as tall buildings have been constructed nearby. Measures to strengthen the jail’s perimeter had been in the planning stages for years, but now, with Rs 1.21 crore allocated for the project, the construction of the watchtowers is set to begin.
In addition to the new watchtowers, the Maharashtra government has also allocated Rs 2.80 crore to build a multipurpose hall within Arthur Road Jail. The 2,800-square-foot hall, which will replace a smaller existing building, will be used for educational, recreational, and correctional programs. An official quoted by Hindustan Times noted, “This new space will finally allow us to begin these processes.” The jail currently houses more than 2,500 inmates, far exceeding its original capacity of 804.
The state government also announced other infrastructure upgrades for prisons in Maharashtra. A new administrative office and visitation hall will be built at Byculla Jail in Mumbai for Rs 1.77 crore. Additional projects include a new kitchen and storage facility, with Rs 2.8 crore allocated for their construction. Thane Jail will receive Rs 1.32 crore for the expansion of its female inmate quarters. Furthermore, Rs 12.14 crore has been earmarked for Harsul Central Jail in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar to build an open jail for 100 inmates, including a special unit for transsexual prisoners.
The government also plans to establish two more jails. In Kolhapur, an open facility with a capacity of 150 inmates will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 14.25 crore, while Akola will see the development of an all-women open jail, funded with Rs 11.90 crore. These initiatives reflect the state’s commitment to improving prison infrastructure and creating more rehabilitative spaces for inmates.
Source: Lokmat Times
