Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Tuesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for a range of infrastructure and technology-driven initiatives of the Ahmedabad Rural Police, including the newly constructed Khakhi Bhavan, at the district police headquarters.

Projects inaugurated included ADR-Shield, the Blue Circuit project, Abhayyatri, and the office of the Aslali Divisional Police Officer, while the foundation stone was laid for the Viramgam Police Line. Addressing the gathering, Sanghavi said Ahmedabad Rural Police follows a distinctive policing model as the district spans both industrial zones and remote villages. He said the new initiatives would strengthen citizen services and facilities, adding that the force has the potential to emerge as a role model in public trust and community engagement.

The Deputy Chief Minister attributed the region’s rapid industrialisation to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that large-scale investments have created significant employment while the police have ensured industrial peace during this period of growth.

Explaining the ADR-Shield initiative, Sanghavi said it would create a centralised database of workers migrating to industrial areas from across the country, helping authorities track criminal elements operating under the guise of employment. He added that public-facing initiatives such as Abhayyatri and the implementation of a human resource management system for police personnel would further enhance public confidence.

Sanghavi also announced that police grounds across Gujarat would be opened for young aspirants preparing for police recruitment examinations. He said candidates would be allowed to train not only at police grounds but also at State Reserve Police and other facilities, with plans to provide professional coaches and physiotherapists to support them.

Highlighting crime control measures, he said the Gujarat Police’s Tera Tujhko Arpan initiative has enabled citizens to recover lost or stolen property more efficiently. On cybercrime, Sanghavi said the police had recovered Rs 330 million from cyber fraudsters in a single day and that, on five days this month alone, more than 3,000 people were protected from cyber fraud after contacting the national helpline 1930.

He also referred to a major crackdown on cybercrime, saying Gujarat Police carried out a coordinated operation against mule bank accounts used by cybercriminals. Following a decision taken on December 8 to identify suspicious accounts, police registered 508 cases and arrested 423 accused within nine days, he said.

Emphasising citizen-friendly policing, Sanghavi suggested fixing dedicated days and hours for the public to meet police officers. He said while criminals must fear the law, the police should deal with ordinary citizens with empathy to strengthen public trust.

Police personnel from Ahmedabad Rural Police were felicitated for outstanding performance, and under Tera Tujhko Arpan, four citizens were reunited with their recovered cash and jewellery. An exhibition showcasing initiatives such as the Blue Circuit rainwater harvesting project, smart police stations, cyber policing units, dog squads, forensic facilities, advanced weapons, vehicles and equipment was also organised at the headquarters.

The event was attended by Ahmedabad District Panchayat president Kanchanben Waghela, Director General of Police Vikas Sahay, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Nipuna Torawane, DG CID and Prisons K. L. N. Rao, ACB Director Piyush Patel, Ahmedabad Range IG Vidhi Chaudhary, Ahmedabad (Rural) SP Om Prakash Jat, along with local MLAs and senior police officials.