Maharashtra government seeks land in Gorai for Mumbai's third prison

The search is on for suitable land in Gorai, Mumbai, as the state government plans to establish a third prison in the city. While Mumbai currently has only one prison located on Arthur Road, permission had been granted in the past for a second prison in Mankhurd. The proposed third prison in Gorai will cater to long-term convicts, sparing them from frequent court appearances during their trials.

A senior official from the state government stated that they are actively exploring options for land in Gorai to construct the third prison facility. This development comes as a significant step to address the issue of overcrowding in Mumbai's existing prisons.

Regarding the second prison in Mankhurd, the official mentioned that they are set to receive 2.5 hectares of land in Mandala, Mankhurd, which will be handed over to the Maharashtra State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation for the construction of the new facility.

The objective behind establishing a third prison in Gorai is to provide a dedicated facility for long-term convicts, eliminating the need for them to appear frequently before the courts during their trial proceedings. This move is expected to streamline the legal process and reduce the burden on the judicial system.

As for the overcrowding situation at Arthur Road Prison, which was constructed in 1926 and originally designed to accommodate around 1000 inmates, the facility often houses nearly four times its capacity. To alleviate the strain on Arthur Road Prison, the state government built the Taloja Jail in 2008 with a capacity of 2124 inmates. However, even Taloja Jail experienced overcrowding during the pandemic, housing around 3,000 inmates due to its proximity to the Mumbai sessions court, resulting in longer travel times.

In October 2016, the then Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, approved the construction of a modern prison in Mankhurd. The aim was to create a multi-storey facility that could accommodate approximately 5000 inmates, allowing it to take over a significant portion of Arthur Road Jail's inmate load. Drawing inspiration from the Miami Correctional Facility in the USA, the proposed prison in Mankhurd is designed to optimize space and resources while enhancing the overall functionality and security.

The decision to expand the Mankhurd prison vertically will offer additional capacity to house more prisoners, thereby reducing the pressure on Arthur Road Prison. By adopting a multi-storey approach, the new facility can efficiently utilize available space and accommodate a larger number of inmates while adhering to modern design and security standards.

The issue of prison overcrowding is a longstanding concern that the government is actively addressing to ensure the humane treatment and well-being of prisoners. By building modern, sustainable, and efficient prison facilities, the authorities aim to enhance the overall prison experience for both inmates and staff.

As Mumbai continues to grow and develop, the need for additional prison capacity becomes increasingly apparent. By strategically establishing new prisons in areas like Gorai and Mankhurd, the state government endeavours to strike a balance between meeting the demands of a growing population while maintaining sustainable and efficient facilities.

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Maharashtra government seeks land in Gorai for Mumbai's third prison

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