Author: IANS
Publication: IBNLive.in.com
Date: May 10, 2009
URL: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mayawatis-dalit-memorial-has-rs-1cr-police-post/92257-3.html
With its huge dome set majestically on tall carved pillars, the new imposing
structure in Lucknow may seem like a shrine. But it is just the police outpost
meant to guard Chief Minister Mayawati's dream project--a memorial to Dalit
icon B R Ambedkar.
Sprawling across 750 square metres in Gomti
Nagar, the police outpost has been built by the Lucknow Development Authority
(LDA) at an estimated cost of Rs one crore.
While its facade is of lovely pink Mirjapuri
stone, the interior is equally impressive.
As you enter the building by swinging open
the sparkling glass door, you get a feeling of being in a corporate office.
The five spacious rooms, with smooth reddish-black granite floors and designer
ceilings, are nothing like what is normally seen in police offices.
The building also houses two bathrooms and
a kitchen whose fittings can outshine even those in luxury hotels.
As the outpost is in the immediate vicinity
of the Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal, the LDA has made all efforts to
ensure that it contributes to the beauty of the area.
For this, the 700-metre path leading to the
guard room from the Ambedkar memorial has been decked up with about 50 pairs
of designer streetlights. At the head of the road is a marble statue of Gautam
Buddha with four faces looking in different directions.
"This police post is one of its kind. Probably it is the most expensive
one ever built in the country. Being posted here definitely makes you feel
thrilled and privileged," Vimal Kumar Gautam, who heads the police outpost,
told IANS.
At least 19 policemen will be deployed to
guard the memorial, which is being developed as a tourist attraction. It will
have a park, museum, library and statues of Dalit leaders.
"Most of the police officials attached
to this outpost are currently on election duty. They would surely be excited
to be on duty here," said Gautam.
The LDA began the construction of the guard
room around 10 months ago and it became functional in the last week of April.
However, finishing touches are still being made to the structure.
Gautam said a police outpost in the area became
a necessity after thefts of construction material from the 50-acre site of
Ambedkar Sthal, which is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore.
"It has also become important to regularly
inspect the area following recent accidents involving labourers," he
added.
Two labourers died in an accident while working
on the site in April.
"Criminals caught by those posted at
this outpost will be handed over to the Gomti Nagar police station,"
said Gautam.
