Fadnavis asks Pimpri-Chinchwad police to use new technology and AI to curb crime

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has told the police that as cities grow, the methods of crime are changing too, and the force must be ready to control crime with the help of new technology. He was speaking at the inauguration and dedication of various projects of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate, which he performed.

Fadnavis said Pimpri-Chinchwad will see a very large expansion in the coming years. Over the next 15 years, the population of the area could exceed that of Pune. For this reason, he said, the police should make effective use of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and modern investigation tools.

According to the Chief Minister, the Pimpri-Chinchwad police have done good work in keeping crime in check with the help of new technology. He said the Dial 112 service has brought police response time down to three minutes. The CCTV network also makes it possible to manage traffic and keep a watch on offenders.

He also said AI can reduce human limitations in investigation. In an AI-based system called "Tapas Sarathi", blockchain technology is being used in the process from the investigation of a crime to the filing of the chargesheet in court. Body-worn cameras will improve police safety and bring transparency to investigations.

Speaking on a drug-free Maharashtra, Fadnavis said pulling the country's young generation out of the grip of drugs is a big challenge. According to him, the government intends to make the country drug-free in the next three to four years. Work is under way at several levels: stopping the manufacture of narcotics, breaking the supply chain, spreading awareness and getting addicts treatment.

The Chief Minister also asked parents to recognise signs of drug use in children and to arrange counselling and treatment in time. He said people at the level of the home, neighbourhood, village and district will have to join the campaign.

On buildings for the police, a state-of-the-art police commissionerate building is being constructed in Pimpri-Chinchwad. A 50-acre site has been given for the police headquarters. Quarters with modern facilities will also be built for police personnel. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the government is trying to provide the police with necessary facilities and homes of their own.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar outlined several projects, including the new police commissionerate being built at Chikhli, the Pimpri police complex, Alandi police station, the Additional Commissioner of Police office at Wakad, the cyber office and the headquarters of the anti-narcotics task force. She recalled that the late Ajit Pawar had sanctioned Rs 180 crore for the police commissionerate. She said these projects will further strengthen the city's security arrangements.