Dakshineshwar will now be under Howrah police jurisdiction, announces Mamata

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a decision to bring Dakshineshwar under the jurisdiction of the Howrah Police Commissionerate, moving it from the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate. This shift, she explained at a Nabanna press briefing on Friday, is intended to streamline law enforcement services, making it easier to manage the high influx of daily visitors to Dakshineshwar, a revered pilgrimage site.

Currently, Dakshineshwar is part of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate, while nearby Belur falls within the Howrah Police Commissionerate. Banerjee noted that the administrative overlap has created challenges, especially given the sheer number of pilgrims and tourists arriving each day from across India and abroad. "Belur is already under the Howrah Police Commissionerate," she said. “To make services more convenient, Dakshineshwar will soon be integrated as well.”

This move acknowledges the significance of Dakshineshwar as a spiritual and cultural hub, drawing thousands to visit the Dakshineshwar Kali Temple and surrounding sites. The decision will ensure that Howrah Commissionerate officers can oversee both Belur and Dakshineshwar, reducing jurisdictional divides in managing the areas efficiently.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that security and service management are major concerns for Dakshineshwar. By transferring its jurisdiction, the state hopes to better accommodate the needs of visitors and enhance coordination in public safety initiatives, especially for the steady flow of pilgrims who visit from around the globe.

The Howrah Police Commissionerate will be tasked with managing this transition and establishing a smooth framework to cater to the area’s demands. The state’s focus remains on improving accessibility, safety, and service quality for Dakshineshwar’s visitors, an objective that aligns with the overall development of West Bengal’s pilgrimage tourism sector.