Cops' kin hope crumbling homes are a thing of past

BHOPAL: Most of houses in police residential colonies in the city are in a bad shape. The buildings are in dilapidated condition with choked drains. The 2018 budget has rekindled hopes of many because of allocation for construction of houses.
Abhishek Singh, son of ASI Nandbeer Singh, posted in CID, a resident of Hanumanganj police line, said, "No maintenance is being done for years.It is unlivable. We are risking our lives," he said. The accommodation is so small that occupants get cramped feeling. "There is just a single room with kitchen attached. It was constructed in 1962," Singh said, adding the colony has been declared unfit for residential purpose.
With the state government allocating Rs 240 crore for construction of houses under Chief Minister Police Housing Scheme in the 2018 budget, policemen expect the situation may improve. Though policemen denied to comment for obvious reasons, relatives pleaded for better living conditions.
Shahjehanabad police line consists of 32 quarters and 78 flats. In all 110 families reside in the colony. Heaps of garbage and poor drainage system are a common sight. Jitendra Sharma, a relative of an SI, said, "Sanitation standards in the colony are poor. Each family has to bear annual maintenance of Rs 30000-40000 on their own to keep the colony clean and repairing of flats. People are leaving flats and moving out due to poor facilities."
Devkumari, sister of head constable Jagdish Maithil, a resident of 156 Quarter police line, said, "Lights and sewage line were repaired. There is only one room. Lack of space creates problem for family members."