New Delhi, 22 June (H.S.):
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Monday laid the foundation stone for the new headquarters building of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the CGO Complex on Lodhi Road here. On the occasion, he also inaugurated infrastructure projects worth Rs 136.03 crore aimed at strengthening the operational and training capabilities of the force.
The ceremony was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Kumar Deka, CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan, senior officers of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other dignitaries.
The new nine-storey CISF headquarters building, to be constructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) at an estimated cost of Rs 75.78 crore, will serve as the principal hub for the force's administrative, operational, and strategic functions. The building will house the offices of the Director General and various branches, along with a control room, conference facilities, an auditorium, a library, a gymnasium, and other modern amenities.
During the event, Bandi Sanjay Kumar also inaugurated three completed infrastructure projects. These include the subordinate officers' mess, Aditya, constructed at the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) in Hyderabad at a cost of Rs 34.22 crore; the advanced training facility, Abhyas, built at a cost of Rs 20.53 crore; and a residential complex for the Fourth Reserve Battalion in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, constructed at a cost of Rs 5.50 crore.
Financial assistance of Rs 1 crore each was also provided to the families of deceased CISF personnel under the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme. Additionally, specially designed motorised wheelchairs were distributed to children with disabilities who are dependants of CISF personnel under a joint initiative of Sanrakshika and the State Bank of India (SBI).
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Home Affairs said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, several initiatives have been undertaken for the welfare of the Central Armed Police Forces. These include cashless healthcare facilities through Ayushman CAPF and the CAPF e-Hospital Information Management System (CAPFIMS), transparent housing allocation through the e-Awas portal, and policies ensuring dignified service conditions and career progression for personnel who become disabled while on duty.
CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan said the nature of security challenges is evolving rapidly, with increasing threats from cyberattacks, digital sabotage, drones, and other technology-driven risks. He noted that the force has been entrusted with several new responsibilities in recent years. The CISF has also been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, enabling it to conduct security inspections and assessments at major ports.
He further said that the CISF training centre at Behror in Rajasthan is being developed as a Centre of Excellence for drone and counter-drone technologies. In addition, specialised cyber security teams are being trained in collaboration with institutions such as IIT Madras Pravartak, the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
The Director General also announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of the CISF's first all-women Reserve Battalion comprising 1,024 personnel at Nuh in Haryana. The initiative is being regarded as a significant step towards strengthening women's empowerment within the force.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
