Maria proposes three additional zones for better policing of city

Mumbai: Police commissioner Rakesh Maria has proposed an increase in zones to improve policing among the rapidly increasing population of the city and controlling and better accountability of his men.
Maria recently sent a proposal to the government to improve the force’s efficiency and curb increasing street crimes by increasing zonal offices from 12 to 15. The 93 police stations across the city are headed by 12 zonal deputy commissioners of police (DCP), with each heading seven to eight police stations.If the government approves the proposal, a DCP will head only five to six police stations.
“The proposal, at a very primary stage, is keeping in mind the city’s increasing population, particularly in the suburbs and north. With fewer police stations under him, the DCP will be able to control and manage the force better and make the city safer,” said Maria. Though a senior inspector has an important role, each DCP plays an important role in day-to-day monitoring of a police station.
Zone I will have six police stations (Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Azad Maidan, MRA Marg, LT Marg and Marine Drive) under the proposal. The JJ Marg police have been accommodated in the port zone, which will be dedicated to sea policing with the Yellow Gate, Sagari, Wadala, Sewree and Dongri police stations.
Zone II will have Pydhonie, V P Road, D B Marg, Malabar Hill, Gamdevi and Tardeo police stations; Nagpada has been adjusted in Zone IV, with Agripada, Kalachowky, Worli, N M Joshi Marg and Byculla.
Sources said central zone will be called Zone V, instead of IV, and will include Bhoiwada, RAK Marg, Matunga, Antop Hill, Sion and Wadala TT. The eastern zones have been divided into Zone VII (Chembur, Trombay, Nehru Nagar, Chunnabhatti, Mankhurd and RCF police stations), Zone VIII (Deonar, Shivaji Nagar, Tilak Nagar, Govandi, Ghatkopar and Pant Nagar) and Zone IX (Vikhroli, Parksite, Bhandup, Kanjurmarg, Mulund and Navghar).
Zone X will have police stations near airports (Kherwadi, BKC, Airport, Sahar airport, Vakola and Nirmal Nagar). Bandra, Khar, Santa Cruz, Juhu, D N Nagar and Versova will fall under Zone XI. Oshiwara, which has many celebrities under it will now come under Zone XIII. Zone XIV will cover Kandivli to Dahisar and Zone XV will cover Dindoshi, Aarey Sub, Vanrai, Kurar, Samta Nagar and Kasturba Marg.
Sources said the new zones will mean more assistant commissioner of police posts.