Thiruvananthapuram City police propose jurisdiction expansion to tackle growing crime and urban challenges

The Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissionerate has proposed expanding its jurisdiction to include 10 adjoining police stations currently under the Thiruvananthapuram Rural police. This proposed expansion aims to address rising crime rates in the city’s rapidly growing suburbs, which have been driven by urbanisation and increased economic activity.

The move is seen as essential in light of the emerging policing challenges posed by ongoing infrastructure developments such as the Vizhinjam seaport, the outer ring road and the expansion of Technopark.

Crime control

A report submitted earlier this year by former District Police Chief (Thiruvananthapuram City) G. Sparjan Kumar proposed merging the Kadinamkulam, Mangalapuram, Pothencode, Vattappara, Aruvikkara, Vilappilsala, Malayinkeezhu, Naruvamoodu, Balaramapuram and Kanjiramkulam police stations with the Thiruvananthapuram City police. This would extend the City police’s jurisdiction to areas including parts of Neyyattinkara Municipality, Kalliyoor town, Pallichal town, Vattappara town, Venganoor town, and Vilappil town. The expansion is expected to improve crime control and traffic regulation in these areas.

The proposal is currently under review by the State Police Headquarters. A similar proposal had been put forth by Mr. Sparjan Kumar’s predecessor, C.H. Nagaraju, last year.

The report highlights a concerning rise in serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, rape and cheating, as well as a growing number of rowdy history-sheeters in these areas from 2019 to 2023.

Besides, with the development of major infrastructure projects, the police anticipate challenges from high-speed container trucks, toll booths, warehouses and a transient workforce including migrant and interstate workers, particularly with the full-scale operation of the seaport and outer ring road.

Officials also pointed out a worrying increase in drug proliferation, which calls for stronger surveillance and policing measures. Currently, the City police jurisdiction includes 21 law and order (L&O) stations and four special police stations, while the Thiruvananthapuram Rural police oversees 38 L&O stations and two special police stations.

Police sub-divisions

The proposal also recommends expanding the number of police sub-divisions from the current four to six. The last sub-division, Cyber City, was established in 2015 to address the needs of Technopark and surrounding areas. The new sub-divisions would be based in Vattiyurkavu, covering stations such as Mannanthala, Vattappara, Aruvikkara, and Vilappilsala, and in Vizhinjam, covering stations including Kovalam, Thiruvallam, Kanjiramkulam, and Balaramapuram.

The proposal also suggests appointing two Deputy Commissioners for law and order, a measure already implemented in the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi Commissionerates.