No more worn-out rides: Kerala Police to acquire 350 new vehicles

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The days of police personnel having to rely on old vehicles that could break down at any time may soon be over. The police will soon invite tenders to purchase 350 new vehicles at a cost of Rs 45 crore. Ten Innova vehicles will be purchased for senior officers, while 340 jeeps will be bought for other personnel. The vehicles will be purchased using the plan fund, with police stations and control rooms getting priority. Kerala Kaumudi had earlier reported on the poor condition of police vehicles used at stations and for patrolling.

Petrol vehicles that are 15 years old and diesel vehicles that are 10 years old will be phased out. The Centre had rejected the state government's decision to increase the service life of government vehicles from 15 to 20 years. Following this, State Police Chief Ravada Chandrasekhar recommended that the police purchase new vehicles using the plan fund. The government approved the proposal.

Station House Officers (SHOs) will get relatively newer vehicles. The police currently have around 6,000 vehicles, including jeeps, cars, vans, buses, control room and patrol vehicles, as well as two-wheelers.

55 vehicles for Operation Toofan

Special teams have been formed in 55 subdivisions as part of Operation Toofan, a drive against drugs. The police will purchase 55 vehicles for these teams using the Central government fund for police modernisation. The purchase process has been completed.

"Vehicles that have crossed their service life will be replaced with new ones. Stations will be given priority. New vehicles will be provided to all districts."
- Ravada Chandrasekhar, State Police Chief