Pune: The construction of a dedicated Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court building within the district and sessions court complex will take another six to seven months to complete, officials from the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) stated on Saturday. The building was initially expected to be finished by late last year.
Reasons for Delay
According to a PMRDA official, the pace of work has slowed down over the past few months. The official said, 'We now expect to complete the structure within the next half-year.' The four-storey building is being built as part of a land-exchange deal linked to the Maan-Hinjewadi to Shivajinagar Metro Line 3 project.
Under a 2019 concession agreement with Pune IT City Metro Rail Limited, the district court provided land for a Metro station and staircase access. In return, PMRDA committed to constructing a dedicated POCSO court building and beautifying the court premises. The Rs 9.71-crore project is being executed by PMRDA through its concessionaire, Tata Projects Limited.
Timeline Shifts
Although the project received all necessary technical and administrative sanctions, the timeline has shifted significantly. While preliminary work was linked to a November 2023 deadline, active construction on the current phase reportedly began in January 2024. The delay comes at a critical time for the judiciary, as Pune district currently grapples with over 6,000 pending POCSO and sexual assault cases.
To address this backlog, the state government recently established 27 fast-track special courts across Maharashtra, including four in Pune. Legal experts and lawyers have emphasized that a dedicated building is essential for streamlining proceedings. An official noted, 'This infrastructure will allow these fast-track courts to operate in a more organized, specialised environment.'
Building Design and Facilities
The proposed POCSO court building will have a total built-up area of 2,035.45 square meters and is designed for child-friendly judicial proceedings, adhering to the National Mission for Safety of Women guidelines. The ground floor will house a video recording and conference room, a counselling room, and a witness preparation room. The first and second floors will contain four court halls, while the third and fourth floors will accommodate two additional POCSO court halls, along with judges' chambers, court offices, waiting rooms, record rooms, and toilets.
The project aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for child victims and witnesses, ensuring that legal proceedings are conducted with sensitivity and efficiency. Once completed, the dedicated building is expected to significantly improve the handling of POCSO cases in Pune.
