Historic crime branch building in dilapidated state, to be razed

Though the front end made of stone is still in proper condition, the iron beams at the back have rusted

- Manish Kumar Pathak

MUMBAI: The ground-plus-two-storey building inside the Mumbai police headquarters in Fort, which has served as the office of the crime branch since 1909, will soon be demolished as it is dilapidated and beyond repair.

The crime branch will temporarily shift to the Bawla compound in Chinchpokli and the new building in the commissioner's office till a six-storeyed building comes up in place of the earlier structure, said sources in Mumbai police.

"The building's front-end made of stone is still in proper condition, but the iron beams at the back have rusted and are becoming increasingly unsafe by the day," a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer told Hindustan Times.

Structural auditors who examined the century-old building recommended that it be demolished because of the weak back-side, he said.

"Besides, the overall strength of the city police force has increased and we are facing a severe space crunch at the headquarters," the officer said.