Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is all set to construct a new central jail on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar on the lines of New Delhi’s Tihar Jail. When ready, it will be the largest prison complex in the state.
A blueprint for the project has been finalised and construction of the proposed correctional facility is likely to begin very soon as the authorities have identified 91 acres of land for the purpose, official sources said.
The existing Special Jail in located in Jharpada area of the state capital will be renamed ‘Central Jail-Bhubaneswar’. The new correctional facility will have the capacity accommodate up to 3,000 inmates at a time.
The Special Jail at Jharpada is able to accommodate 991 inmates at a time at present. When the special jail is upgraded, its capacity will go up to 3,000 at one time, according to a senior Home department official.
Several new features will be included in the new correctional facility. While the upcoming jail will have a special cell for transgender inmates, there will also be an ultra-modern 24×7 hospital for the prisoners and staff. A special outpost will be set up near the prison complex.
The new prison complex will have special arrangements for skill development of the inmates. There will be a vocational unit on the jail premises to train the inmates on various trades including weaving, making gamchha (towel), blankets, and coir mats.
All set to become the largest jail in Odisha, it will provide all the basic amenities available in Delhi’s Tihar.
Land for the proposed central jail has been identified between the Mahatma Gandhi Academy of Prisons and Correctional Services at Chhatabar and the open-air jail at Jamujhari. While 45 acres of the land will be used for the construction of the jail, the rest is to be used for construction of residential quarters for the prison staff.
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