A major urban infrastructure initiative aimed at addressing the long-standing housing shortage faced by the Mumbai Police has been approved by the State Cabinet. Under the newly sanctioned Police Housing Township project, nearly 45,000 residential units are planned to be constructed across Mumbai by redeveloping existing police colonies. The decision has been taken as part of broader efforts to modernise essential support infrastructure for law enforcement personnel in the city.
The project has been estimated at a cost of approximately ₹20,000 crore and is to be financed through a combination of government funding and institutional loans. It has been decided that 30 per cent of the total cost will be contributed by the state government, while the remaining 70 per cent will be raised through borrowings. The Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation has been appointed as the nodal agency responsible for implementing the project on behalf of the Public Works Department. Upon completion, the housing units are to be formally handed over to the department.
Approval for the township has been granted based on the recommendations of a government-appointed committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home). The committee had been tasked with assessing the condition of existing police housing colonies, many of which are housed in old British-era structures. A significant number of these buildings have been reported to be structurally weak, with several units declared unfit for occupation.
The proposed township is expected to span nearly five crore square feet, allowing for large-scale redevelopment and consolidation of residential facilities. To enable the early stages of the project, the Cabinet has sanctioned an initial grant of ₹100 crore to MSIDC. This funding is to be used for technical assessments, financial feasibility studies, and preparatory work required before construction begins. The corporation has also been authorised to raise loans supported by a government guarantee to ensure smooth financial execution.
According to official data, the Mumbai Police has a sanctioned strength of over 51,000 personnel, while fewer than 23,000 service residences are currently available. Of these, nearly 3,800 quarters have been classified as uninhabitable. Compounding the issue, an estimated 400 to 500 applications for accommodation are received every month, placing sustained pressure on the limited housing stock.
Due to the shortage of nearby housing, many police officers and personnel are required to commute long distances daily, often under challenging work schedules. The government has emphasised that proximity to the place of duty is critical for effective policing, rapid emergency response, and overall workforce well-being. Improved residential facilities are therefore expected to contribute not only to better living standards but also to enhanced operational efficiency of the police force.
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