In a significant move to address a critical shortage of patrol vehicles, the Udupi police department has received a boost through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Local legislators and private companies have come together to donate jeeps, providing immediate support to the force's mobility needs.
Bridging the Gap with CSR Vehicles
Superintendent of Police (SP) Hariram Shankar revealed that a total of 12 vehicles have been committed by elected representatives and private contributors. Out of these, five vehicles have already been handed over to the department. The remaining seven are anticipated to be delivered within the next one to two weeks.
SP Shankar explained that the acute shortage arose as many police vehicles were retired after completing their service life of 15 years. While the police headquarters procures new vehicles, their distribution happens in phases, often leaving a stop-gap period extending up to six months. "When basic mobility is affected, policing becomes extremely difficult," the SP stated.
Addressing Urgent Shortages in Police Stations
The initiative, modeled after a similar successful effort in Karwar, was launched four months ago to bridge this gap with prior permission from the department. Several police stations are facing immediate crises. For instance:
- The Kota police station was left without a vehicle after its old jeep was retired.
- The Kundapura traffic police unit also found itself without mobility.
- Two more vehicles were taken off the road by the end of December.
"Vehicles are normally issued by the department, but there are occasions when there is a delay," SP Shankar said, highlighting the necessity of the CSR intervention.
Widespread Support from Legislators and Industry
The drive has seen strong backing from local political leaders. MLAs Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Yashpal Suvarna, Sunil Kumar, and Gurme Suresh Shetty actively supported the cause. Furthermore, Udupi-Chikmagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary facilitated a vehicle contribution through Konkan Railway.
Local industries also stepped up, with notable contributions from companies like Bolas Agro Private Limited and Sagar Ratna-Ocean Pearl Group.
A Persistent Deficit Despite New Additions
Despite the successful procurement of these 12 vehicles, the district's police force will continue to face a shortfall. SP Hariram Shankar provided a sobering assessment, noting, "Even after the new vehicles are inducted, we will be short by around 15% of the total requirement." This indicates that while the CSR initiative offers crucial stop-gap relief, a more systemic solution is needed to fully meet the department's operational vehicle needs.
