Mumbai police recruitment drive: 'No option but to stay on roads'

Every year thousands of candidates from all over Maharashtra are tested during the recruitment drive for the Mumbai police But before getting a job in their dream city they endure a nightmare as they are forced to sleep on the footpaths defecate in the open and donrsquot get food or water to drink The marg can lead them to samruddhi in terms of a good job but only if they survive these conditions But there have been cases like that of Ganesh Ugale 26 from Washim who died soon after a race during the drive recentlyUgale had participated in a 1600m race and collapsed soon after crossing the finishing line He was declared dead on arrival at hospital In 2010 one candidate died and 11 were injured during a stampede that broke out at Kalina A gate was opened and youth rushed in Some also jumped over barricades and several fell on each other The deceased was identified as Ramesh Amer from Ahmednagar district In 2014 around 4 candidates died while giving tests for the police recruitment Soon after these incidents the police department had decide to provide basic facilities of tent water and toilets for the recruits However this time no such arrangements were seenAlso Read Mumbai Cop brings down man from 3rd floor with food patriotic songAbout 12 lakh candidates have come for 994 driversrsquo posts at the Motor Transport Department of the police the home department and Mumbai police On an average nearly 5000 candidates are pouring into the city on daily basis Also there is a simultaneous recruitment drive on for the post of around 6000 male and female constables The department has already begun the drive for female aspirants while the recruitment of male constables will start The recruitment for Motor Transport Department and GRP level constables are done across the city at various centers like in Marol Naigaon Pant Nagar and Kalina These began on January 30 The physical test starts from 6 am or 10 am or 12 noon and go on from 2 pm till night Since Ugalersquos death no tests are conducted from 12 pm to 4 pm due to heatA public toilet at Pant Nagar which candidates are forced to use PicsRajesh GuptaCandidates arrive from across the state like Satara Nashik Nagar Malegaon Jalgaon Nandurbar Beed Aurangabad Dhule Latur Ahmedabad Jalna Sangli Pune etc Those who donrsquot have relatives in the city are forced to sleep on the footpath roads under trees even on dividers midday also saw that in some places candidates were sleeping at the gate of the centers only because they think that if their number is called in the morning then their test will be easy These candidates also block the roads and footpaths Due to the nonavailability of toilets candidates have been forced to go to the Aarey forest or corners of the roads at Pant Nagar to relieve themselvesThe Mumbai police claim that they have given a contract to the concerned BMC authority to arrange for tents and mobile toilets for the candidates but midday found that some of these toilets are locked midday also found that Ugale had also slept on the road on Thursday night He could not sleep properly which could have affected his health the next day when he ran for 1600 meters When the recruitment for male constables starts more than 5 lakh candidates will arrive in the city If no arrangements are in place for them by then there will be chaos during the recuritmentOver 5 lakh candidates are estimated to arrive for the post of male constables PicRajesh GuptaldquoWe have given a schedule to each candidate if they come according to that then no one will have a problem Arrangements have been made for more than 1500 candidates to live and sleep in the ground tents and there are also enough toilets and other necessary facilities required But 5000 candidates are coming at the same time Yet the Mumbai police is taking care of themrdquo said Joint Commissioner Administration SJayakumarHowever here is what midday found at recruitment centresNaigaon Police QuartersCandidates are fed up of the troubles PicRajesh GuptaAt Naigaon police quarters ground BMC arranged for food and tents to sleep but only for 1000 girls candidates More than 2500 candidates have been coming here every day Others had to sleep on the roads The parents and relatives accompanying them also had to sleep on the roads A girl candidate from Nandurbar said ldquoWe reached at this spot at around 11 pm and found that the gate is locked and they informed that they will take us inside in the morning We are forced to sleep on the footpath and under trees at this area There are police security or any other security is available for us The residents of this area are police families only but we didnrsquot get any help from thererdquo A girl candidate from Nashik said ldquoWe thought here is a police colony and we will get help but nothing happenedrdquo A candidate from Jalgaon said ldquoI came there with my old parents and they are also sleeping on road because lack of facilities If anything happens to them who will be responsiblerdquo A retired senior police officer added ldquoThe authorities should make arrangements for sufficient tents for all candidates Police also to be deployed for safety of candidates at night There should be a place where candidates get proper information about their test All candidates should be divided into batches and given specific times This is the joint responsibility of the police and BMC as candidates come from different cities of MaharashtrardquoMarol CenterTo add to their troubles mobile toilets here for candidates were locked PicNimesh DaveThe BMC had arranged tents for the candidates but they only accommodated about 200 and the rest had to sleep on the roads Mobile toilets were also available here but they were locked candidates were forced to go to the forest A candidate from Nashik said ldquoI came to the centre at 5 am on Sunday Later I found many people were forced to stay on the roadrdquo An Usmanabad candidate said ldquoThere is a police canteen but they are selling a dish at R120 for us while for police personnel it is Rs 60rdquoKalina University centreCandidates sleep near the Mumbai University PicRajesh GuptaThe midday team found that all candidates were sleeping outside the Mumbai University gate A candidate from Ahmednagar said ldquoWe are sleeping under the bridge on the main road on the divider Itrsquos scary as vehicles ply on the road fast I couldnrsquot sleep well because of the uneven ground My body is aching How I will complete running tomorrow is the big question I came to Mumbai with my cousin The authorities should give us facilities to sleep at the night in a safe placerdquo A candidate from Nashik said ldquoThere are no facilities for water and toilets at this place We are forced to relieve ourselves outside Mumbai University We donrsquot like this but we donrsquot have a choicerdquo A candidate from Washim said ldquoAt least a police officer should be deployed here to ensure that at night we will be safe on the road We didnrsquot get proper sleep and again next day we have to run Ugale who died on Friday had also slept on the road at night He didnrsquot get sufficient sleep Itrsquos really shameful in this big dream city of Mumbai facilities of toilets water shelter are not being providedrdquo More than 2000 candidates slept on the footpath at KalinaPant Nagar police head quarters groundSome candidates got a shelter PicRajesh GuptaOnly girlsrsquo are being recruited here for the post of GRP constables for past few days Over 1500 girls have been arriving every day for the same The police arranged for mobile toilets but they are not in good condition midday found that most of the girls had to use their mobile torch and keep the door half open while using the toilets The smell inside was terrible A candidate from Dhule said ldquoWe have to keep the door half open while using the public toilets Itrsquos pathetic and unsafe The mobile toilets are kept on the main road and many people pass by How we can keep door open and use the toilet in the dayrdquo Another girl candidate from Latur said ldquoThe toilet is pathetic and smells After using it I throw up These are basic necessities but no such facilities are provided We have to purchase water bottlesrdquo2000Candidates sleeping on the footpath at Kalina1500No of women candidates at Pant Nagar every day6000No of posts for male and female constables