Accused arrested from Palghar district in different cases would no longer have to travel 100 to 130 kilometers to Thane and Taloja Central Jail after they are sent on judicial custody.
After continuous followup from the state prison department for the last 15 years. The Palghar collector had allotted a 25 acres land, which is nearby the city, court, collector office and government hospital. The land has been allotted near Umroli village, which is 6 kilometers away from the district headquarters. FPJ has the order copy of the allotment letter.
The demand for a jail in Palghar was started in 2006. Accused arrested by the police from Palghar district having a population of 30 lakhs, were sent to Thane Central Jail. Thane Jail having a capacity of 804 inmates, used to be overcrowded with 3,500 and more inmates. "At present the Thane jail has a population of 4,000 inmates, in which 1000 are from Palghar district. The situation was the same for many years. We kept demanding for the jail in the district. As, not only undertrials and convicts had to travel 100 to 130 kilometers to reach the court. But the family and kids who come for visit also have to travel the distance," said sources from the prison department.
Sources claimed the authorities faced many issues in the allotment of the land. "Two times land was allotted 20 kilometers away from the city. The forest department intervin and claims their land. Also, many times the gram panchayat and locals use to oppose land nearby their village, as they think jails are dangerous for the village. However, this time it's in the city limits," added the official.
The jail will house prisoners from 29 police stations including 16 police stations in Palghar district and 13 police stations from Mira-Bhayander Vasai-Virar (MBVV) commissionerate. Having a good space the jail will resemble Taloja Central jail with jail and residential quarters for prison staff.
Initially, the land will house jail and residential quarters for prison staff. Most jails have an in-house hospital. The land is close to Palghar court, collectorate and government hospital.
The central government has already given a fund of Rs 5 crore and sources claim the state government will give 100 crore as soon as the work is started.
Harshad Ahhirao, Superintendent of Thane Central Jail who is been following up the issue after he was posted with Thane Jail confirmed about a 25 acres land been alloted and said the followup has been made since 2006 from the prison department.
