Chandigarh’s only prison set for expansion, security upgrade

Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has cleared the decks for a major infrastructure upgrade of Model Jail, Burail, with the engineering department finalising a comprehensive estimate of Rs 37 crore for its expansion. The move follows approval of the project design by the urban planning department, which has detailed the scope of work, including building layouts and floor-wise room configurations. The tender for the project is now expected to be floated by the end of this month or in the first week of June.Officials said the plan has been prepared in line with jail manual norms, with a strong emphasis on security and modern infrastructure. “Security requirements were central to the planning process. All buildings have been designed keeping operational needs and safety of personnel in mind, along with the integration of modern facilities,” sources in the administration told TOI.Under the expansion blueprint, seven new barracks will be constructed, adding capacity for over 550 inmates across various categories classified under groups 1, 2 and 3. The design includes 42 high-security barracks meant for hardened criminals, featuring individual cells. These units will also have an exclusive high-security cabin spread across the ground and first floors. Each barrack will be equipped with a video-conferencing facility to facilitate court appearances and a dedicated guard room to strengthen surveillance and monitoring.In addition to inmate housing, the project makes provision for two administrative blocks — an administrative and a central administrative complex. These will house essential functions such as convict warrant and undertrial sections, a courtroom, male and female search rooms, scanning and X-ray facilities, and waiting areas. Offices for the assistant controller, superintendent and other officials will also be located here.The administrative complexes are designed to include a range of institutional and welfare facilities, including a conference hall, server room, welfare officer rooms, classrooms, a library, a multipurpose hall, and even a music room aimed at inmate rehabilitation. A legal aid cell and canteen are also part of the plan. The medical infrastructure will be significantly strengthened with a dedicated suite comprising rooms for a senior medical officer, visiting doctors, dentist, psychologist and pharmacist.A factory shed is also proposed as part of the expansion, aimed at vocational training and rehabilitation of inmates. It will include workshops for carpentry, polishing, pottery, tailoring, canning, candle and gulal making, and envelope production. The facility will also include storage areas and a lobby.The project further incorporates key infrastructure upgrades, including installation of CCTV cameras, a sewage treatment plant (STP), and new water supply and sewer lines. Public health services such as stormwater drainage, rainwater harvesting systems, and internal sanitation networks have also been included in the scope. Plans are in place to install a modern fire-fighting system, along with internal electrical fittings, generator sets and lifts to support the expanded complex.Model Jail, Burail, has evolved over decades. Established in 1972 as a sub-jail, it was upgraded to a district jail in 1975 and later designated a central jail in 1990.