Team Herald
PANJIM: Barely a day after 44 new Ertiga cars were allotted to Police Control Room (PCR), the department has landed itself into an unwarranted controversy. Herald has learnt through reliable police sources that several deputy superintendents of police are eyeing the new vehicles.
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The cars, actually meant for patrolling across the State, including highways, are meant to replace the old patrol vans that are on the verge of condemnation (declared unfit for the road). However, with this fresh demand, the possibility has grown that some of the vehicles could be diverted for use by these officers.
“Many DySPs have approached the department demanding that their vehicles be replaced with the new ones. We understand their vehicles are also aged but ferrying them from one place to another is not as important as day-night patrolling. It’s now up to the higher ups whether to divert the vehicles to the officers or retain them for patrolling duty,” the source said.
Nearly all the patrolling vans are unfit with those used in the interiors, including larger jurisdictions like Ponda, enduring mechanical problems. “Many vehicles currently used for patrolling have broken down several times. These are repaired and put to use again. We were ecstatic to receive the new patrol vans but unending demands by senior officers often hinders ground duty,” the source added.
It has been learnt that around 80 vehicles will replace the worn-out batch of existing ones allocated for patrolling in the State and on highways. In the coming days, more will be added to the batch of 44 Ertigas introduced on Wednesday.
Herald attempted to contact senior officers for a comment but they were not available. The department has been headless – without a Director General of Police – since mind-November when Pranab Nanda passed away in Delhi. Officiating DGP, IGP Jaspal Singh is reportedly not in Goa and the charge of the department is currently held by DIG Rajesh Kumar.
