Delhi Police is now in the process of making arrangements for the physically challenged at all police stations and unit offices. The department is in talks with the Ministry of Social Justice and

Empowerment under the Government of India and an expert will be appointed to conduct an audit of all police stations and submit a report to the Ministry. The matter will be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs for administrative sanctions and approval. Police sources told Newsline that the talks were initiated earlier this month after the department felt the need to equip its offices with facilities for the physically challenged.

A senior police officer said: "The force is meant for the public and our job is to deal with the public. For physically challenged persons, we have decided that basic facilities need to be there to help them approach us easily."

The idea, police sources said, is to install physically challenged-friendly toilets and ramps for disabled persons at all 181police stations, 11 offices of deputy commissioners of police and

other unit offices. Police sources said the project, when approved,will be facilitated under the Scheme for Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act.

Sources said an expert has been identified and will be appointed by the Ministry to conduct an audit of all the offices and prepare a report to make buildings physically challenged-friendly.



"The Public Works department (PWD) will be asked to prepare an estimate of the cost of the entire project and submit the same to the department and the Ministry. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment will then fund the project. The matter will also be forwarded to the MHA for administrative approval and expenditure sanctions," the officer said.



There are 181 police stations in the city, of which 113 police stations are running in their own buildings, 10 are under construction, 22 are yet to be constructed and 36 are yet to get their

land.

"The police stations that are being constructed and those that have been approved and construction is slated to begin in the coming months, have taken care of the aspect. These too be will be audited," the officer said.