Himachal Pradesh: The 105-year-old Palampur police station building is in dire need of repairs, yet the state government has taken no action despite repeated appeals in this regard over the last three decades. The dilapidated structure, which serves as a crucial police station for the safety of over a lakh residents in the area, continues to deteriorate. Built in 1919 by the British under the mud-missionary technique, the building was part of the reconstruction efforts after the devastating Kangra earthquake of 1905. Built without cement, the structure has not undergone any significant repairs or additions for nearly a century. In recent years, it was declared a heritage property, and its demolition was stayed. However, no funds have been allocated for its maintenance, leading to its deteriorating condition. Experts have already declared the building unsafe, recommending its demolition as it has long outlived its life expectancy.
The police station staff faces daily exposure, with large cracks in both the inner and outer walls. Though minor repairs have been attempted to prevent it from collapsing, the hostel rooms for constables have large holes and the store room is in a bad shape. Besides, the police station lacks proper storage for confiscated items. The situation is particularly serious during monsoons, as water seeps into most rooms due to holes in the CGI sheet roofs. A few years ago, water seeped into the store room due to a hole in the roof, which destroyed old records. The Station House Officer’s (SHO) residence, built in 1919, is equally unsafe and prone to collapse even in a minor earthquake. According to information gathered by the Tribune, the Kangra superintendent of police has repeatedly submitted proposals to the state government for the construction of a new police station building over the past decade. However, no funds have been sanctioned yet. The current state of the Palampur police station raises serious concerns about the safety of both its staff and the people working here. Residents fear that the government is waiting for a major tragedy before taking action.
