Mumbai's Security at Risk: Thousands of Police Vacancies; Major Announcement by CM

Under the state government's 150-day program, all pending compassionate appointments across government departments, including the Home Department, will be fast-tracked in mission mode. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Legislative Council that the police will be given priority in the government’s housing policy.

This came in response to a question raised by Sunil Shinde during the Question Hour. He pointed out that Mumbai has 51,308 sanctioned police posts, of which 12,899 are vacant. This shortage is putting tremendous pressure on the police force. Between 2022 and June 2025, 427 police personnel died of heart attacks while on duty, and 25 committed suicide. Shinde noted that 75 of these deaths were stress-related. Opposition leaders including Ambadas Danve, Bhai Jagtap, Praveen Darekar, and Satej Patil also took part in the discussion.

To reduce stress and workload, Mumbai police now work eight-hour shifts, though hours increase during festivals or lockdowns. Weekly offs are given, and if not, compensation is provided. Police housing projects are being accelerated. Older police settlements will be redeveloped. A DG Loan Scheme has been launched to provide low-interest loans to police personnel. Pending loan applications will be approved soon.

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To protect police health, yearly check-ups are now mandatory for officers over 40, and twice a year for those over 50. Over 40 types of diseases are treated free of cost, with agreements signed with 270 hospitals across the state. Cancer screening camps have also been organised in collaboration with Tata Memorial and A. K. Mehta.

Unit commanders have been instructed to regularly speak with their teams and record their concerns to help address stress. A project to redevelop the Naigaon police chawl is underway, and police in BDD chawls have been allotted houses at just INR 15 lakh. More houses are being built for police at the taluka level. If housing cooperative proposals are submitted by the police, they will be given priority support.