Crores Spent, But Jamshedpur’s Modern Police Checkposts Lie Abandoned

Jamshedpur : Two years ago, in a bid to curb the rising graph of crime in the city, the then SSP Prabhat Kumar had announced a major security initiative—construction of six modern checkposts at the city’s entry points. The plan was to ensure that criminals trying to escape after committing a crime could be intercepted promptly. Each checkpost was built at a cost of Rs 47 lakh, totaling nearly Rs 2.82 crore. However, despite the investment, all six checkposts remain non-functional. Most have been locked since completion, while some have fallen into disrepair with broken window panes, uprooted tiles and overgrown bushes. What was once touted as a bold step to strengthen surveillance is today being seen by residents as a glaring example of administrative neglect. “When so much money was spent, the public should have benefited. Instead, these checkposts have become white elephants. This is nothing but wastage of taxpayers’ money,” said Ramesh Singh, a resident near Adityapur toll bridge. The checkpost near Dobo Bridge, considered a sensitive escape route for criminals, is locked and unusable. Locals claim a driver from Bistupur police station has made it his residence, while only a small portion is occasionally used by traffic police.

The Kharkai Bridge checkpost, though not locked, remains underutilized. Residents say it could serve traffic police effectively but has never been put to systematic use. At Kadma toll bridge, the checkpost stands in a dilapidated state, with no proper road leading to it. Broken panes, garbage and stench surround the premises. Similarly, the Adityapur toll bridge checkpost is abandoned, with its main gate locked, windows shattered and bushes taking over. Locals allege its electricity is being diverted to a nearby temple, while water connections are freely used by the public. “We had hoped these checkposts would make our neighborhoods safer. Instead, they have become shelters for misuse. If these were operational, crimes could have been checked to a great extent,” said local resident Anita Devi. Apart from these, checkposts at Pardih Chowk, Govindpur Anna Chowk and near MGM Medical College remain unused. The MGM checkpost has temporarily been converted into the office of DSP Patamda, deviating from its intended purpose. Residents argue that reviving these facilities could strengthen surveillance, ease the burden on police and help bring crime under control. For now, however, crores spent on the project lie wasted, while the city’s security continues to remain at risk.