No compromise on quality of police infrastructure, says Priyank Kharge

Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday directed officials of the Karnataka State Police Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (KSPH&IDCL) to ensure that residential and office buildings constructed for police and other departments are completed within the stipulated time without compromising on quality.

The Minister, who chaired the progress review meeting of KSPH&IDCL, also instructed officials to launch Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programs to help children of department staff prepare for competitive exams. He said that necessary guidance, training and facilities should be provided to support their success in various competitive tests.

Under the ₹2,000-crore Police Gruha-2025 housing scheme aimed at improving housing facilities for police personnel, a total of 10,034 housing units have been sanctioned. According to the statement, 3,496 units of these have been completed, and 2,030 units are under construction.

The construction of the state-of-the-art Central Command Center in Bengaluru is in the final stages and is expected to be inaugurated soon. Additionally, new police stations, District Police Office (DPO) buildings and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) facilities are being built in various districts.

The company also carries out infrastructure projects for many other departments, including the Department of Prisons. Major projects include a high security prison in Shivamogga and a central prison in Devanahalli. The statement also stated that the construction work of hostels for the Fire and Emergency Services Department as well as the Backward Classes and Minority Welfare Departments has also been carried out successfully.

Mr. Kharge noted that the large-scale police housing initiative in Karnataka owes a lot to the efforts of former Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge. Currently, around 41.43 per cent of the total police housing stock in the state has been constructed under projects initiated during his tenure.

Director General and Inspector General of Police MA Saleem, KSPH&IDCL Chairman and General Manager Arun Chakravarthy (IPS) and other senior officials attended the meeting.