It may not have a vast jurisdiction, but this police station has to cater to an unusual set of people in a unique and sensitive location.
Located in the Dabolim International Airport, the Dabolim police station is expected to cater to law and order at the airport, which includes VIPs, air passengers and tourists. However, a visit to the police station spring the first surprise as it is located in a meagre area of just 21 sq mtrs. What makes this space even more claustrophobic is that the office is divided into three cabins and the police station is expected to share this paltry space with the Police Traffic Cell as well.
While the Traffic Cell consists of nine police personnel, including one Lady PSI, the Dabolim Police has 13 personnel, including the PI, but there is no lady officer for the police station.
The single room police station is partitioned into three smaller cabins. One cabin is for the traffic cell, the other cabin is for the police station. The third cabin is designated as an accommodation and changing room.
“We have a tough time at the newly opened police station as there are no basic facilities. We do not have a changing room and we have to share a common room, which consists of two cots for rest and a TV for recreation. There are no toilets and washrooms at the station and we have to visit the nearby Shulabh pay toilet,” disclosed a source at the police station.
“In the absence of cabinets or shelves, documents are scattered all over the place. There is a single Fax machine and a photocopier, which remain idle at the station. This is not the only quandary, as the police station also lacks computers and we are forced to use our personal laptops and other equipment. There are only two motorcycles for the Dabolim police station, but they are meant for the Traffic Cell. There are no PCR vans provided nor any jeep for the station.”
Besides the lack of facilities, the staff at the police station also encounters a heavy workload due to the nature of their jurisdiction.
“Around 50 flights land every 10 minutes and each flight brings an average of about 200 passengers. Add these numbers to the many people (relatives, friends, taxi/tour operators, flights reps and airport staff) who are outside the terminal and you can imagine the density of people in this small area. It is extremely difficult to tackle a situation during these hours,” said the source.
“The required staff strength for the Traffic Cell is 30, but only 12 were sanctioned for duty. Of these 12 personnel, three have already been transferred elsewhere. As far as the police station is concerned, the required strength is 20, but only 12 police personnel have been allotted to the police station.”
Sources at the police station informed that even though the Dabolim police station and police department have requested the airport authority for bigger space at the cargo section, their requests have fallen on deaf ears.
When contacted, Dabolim PI Navlesh Dessai indirectly admitted that all facilities were not available at the police station.
“This is a new police station and it will take some time to get all the facilities,” said PI Dessai.
When contacted, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho stated that they have asked the airport authority for a full-fledged police station at the terminal. “It shall be commissioned only after the new terminal begins operations,” said Godinho.
