Diva, a rapidly developing suburb of Thane, is facing growing concerns over public safety as its population and crime rate continue to rise. Despite years of demand, the proposal for a dedicated Diva police station has yet to receive final approval, leaving residents dependent on Mumbra Police Station for lodging complaints.
Diva was traditionally home to the Agri and Koli communities, but the area has undergone significant urbanisation over the past decade. The construction of numerous unauthorised buildings and chawls, along with a large influx of residents from the Konkan region and North India, has transformed the suburb's demographic profile.
Residents estimate that Diva's population has now reached between four and five lakh. The rapid expansion has placed considerable pressure on civic amenities and public services, including law enforcement.
Police sources indicate that the increase in population has been accompanied by a rise in serious criminal incidents. Cases involving theft, assault, attempted murder, murder, sexual offences, molestation and kidnapping are regularly reported from the Diva area.
According to police sources, approximately 200 to 250 serious offences are registered every month from Diva. With the suburb expanding into a major urban settlement, residents believe that the existing policing arrangement is no longer sufficient to address their security concerns.
Although Diva and Mumbra have developed into distinct urban areas, Diva continues to fall under the jurisdiction of Mumbra Police Station. This arrangement creates practical difficulties for residents who need to report a crime or approach the police.
Mumbra Police Station is around a 15-minute walk from Mumbra railway station. However, reaching the station from Diva can take more than 30 minutes by road, depending on traffic conditions. Residents travelling by local train generally have to get down at Mumbra and then take an autorickshaw to reach the police station.
For victims or complainants already dealing with the emotional and financial impact of a crime, the additional travel, traffic and transportation costs can make the process even more difficult.
Residents have been seeking an independent police station in Diva for several years. They believe a dedicated facility would make it easier to register complaints, improve police accessibility and increase the visible presence of law enforcement in the rapidly expanding suburb.
A separate police station would also allow police personnel and resources to be deployed specifically according to Diva's population, geography and crime patterns. Locals argue that stronger police infrastructure is increasingly necessary as the suburb continues to grow.
The proposal for establishing an independent police station in Diva has already been submitted to the Director General of Police's office. According to Thane Police, follow-up proceedings are currently being pursued.
Thane Police Joint Commissioner Dr Dnyaneshwar Chavan said the proposal has been submitted to the Director General of Police's office and that continuous follow-up is underway.
For residents, the next step is to see the long-pending proposal translated into a functioning police station with adequate staff and resources. With Diva's population estimated to be close to five lakh and serious offences continuing to be reported, locals say improved policing infrastructure has become an urgent requirement rather than a long-term demand.
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