The Maharashtra government has approved Rs 1.25 crore and sanctioned 70 dedicated horse-rider positions to activate the Mumbai Police mounted unit for law-and-order duties, according to a report by Loksatta. The approval involves surrendering 70 existing police posts in exchange for the new mounted-unit positions.
Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti is interested in expanding the unit beyond ceremonial deployments, the report said. The mounted unit is expected to be used for patrols and crowd-management duties in locations where police vehicles and motorcycles face operational limitations.
The 70 surrendered posts include two police sub-inspector positions, four assistant sub-inspector positions, 16 head constable positions and 48 constable positions. The government has approved the appointment of horse riders against these positions, allowing the police department to recruit personnel specifically trained for mounted duties.
The mounted unit was reintroduced into the Mumbai Police in 2020. Its earlier version had operated before being discontinued in 1932 as traffic increased in the city. The unit has been used for ceremonial parades on Republic Day and Maharashtra Day, but it could not become fully operational for wider policing duties because of a shortage of trained riders.
Facilities for the unit are being developed at the Marol police colony. Plans include a stable spread across 2.5 acres, a swimming pool for the horses and a training centre. An advanced stable was completed in 2023, and veterinary facilities have also been made available, according to the report.
The unit initially began with 30 horses and a staffing structure that included one police sub-inspector, one assistant sub-inspector, four head constables and 32 constables. It currently has 22 horses, with more expected to be added over the next year. The police department requires riders to have horse-riding skills, which officials said is not a qualification that can be assumed across the existing police workforce.
A senior police officer cited by Loksatta said mounted patrols could be useful in crowded parts of Mumbai. A rider positioned on horseback can maintain a wider field of vision, while police vehicles may not be able to enter dense gatherings and motorcycle patrols have their own limitations.
The government approval marks the administrative step needed to staff the unit with dedicated riders. Its wider deployment will depend on recruitment, the addition of horses and the operational use of the facilities at Marol.
